While painting in a more urban location in Naples (the Naples Zoo entry), I was confronted by a Muscovy duck. This invasive animal is often thought to be a native critter by visitors. This duck was very tame and one child petted as if it were a dog. The duck also frightened one little girl and her mother. They were petrified at this large bird who seemed oblivious to their attempts to shoo it away.
I intervened. The duck had already pestered me, but I ignored him. Once I intervened he seemed to think of me as a buddy and continued just to hang out.
I am not fond of Muscovys or any invasive exotic plant or animal because of the impact on indigenous flora and fauna. This duck really had personality. I would never ever harm this type of critter, but unless more people are aware of the harm these invasive species do by displacing other native animals, more will proliferate. They reproduce quite rapidly. For more on invasive plants and animals in this region check out this website: http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_alphabetic_list.php
