Drawing Muscovy Ducks at Papago Park

When I was a kid, my uncle had a Muscovy duck. I think his name was Phillip.

This is not the real Phillip... this duck lives at Papago Park in Phoenix

Every time I see these ducks at Papago Park in Phoenix,
​I like to think they are all named Phillip too.

Another fake Phillip living at Papago Park

This weekend, I spent some time drawing these characters from life.

With their bright red bumpy heads and black and white feathers, that have highlights of green and turquoise in the sun, these ducks are something to look at. Quirky but beautiful. Muscovy ducks originate from South America and are a tropical bird. The ones found at Papago Park, and in most backyards or parks across the USA are a domestic version that has its origins in the pre-Colombian period. The true Muscovy duck is all black with a little bit of white on their wings. I've never had the opportunity to see them in the wild but I think it's pretty cool to be able to go down the street to a local park, and at least see these fun looking birds sleeping in the afternoon Phoenix sun.
Recently, I've been inspired by my encounters with wildlife that thrives in unusually urban environments. Invasive or native, our ecosystems are complicated and filled with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, bugs and more that somehow balance with 'man.' And some, thrive. Like this domestic Muscovy duck seems to at Papago Park.