Palmetto Bay Info: Muscovy Duck Capture Regulations

From the Village of Palmetto Bay:

Posted on: November 4, 2019

Recently, some Palmetto Bay residents raised concern about the legality of capturing Muscovy ducks on private property.

In consultation with the Florida Wildlife Commission, the Palmetto Bay Policing learned that Muscovy ducks originated in Florida from domestic stock, they are not considered “wildlife”, therefore, not protected by state wildlife laws nor laws set forth by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If the ducks are not yours or have no identifiable owner and are on your property, federal regulations allow control by landowners, wildlife management agencies, tenants, agents, or employees without federal or state permits. Birds may be humanly euthanized, but it’s illegal to capture the birds and release them or transport them somewhere else.

This press release was produced by the Village of Palmetto Bay. The views expressed here are the author’s own.