News Subscriber Exclusive DeLand: Downtown has a duck problem Noah Hertz - July 19, 2023 0 BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN<br> FEATHERED FRIENDS OR FOES? — Muscovy ducks, like the ones pictured above, can be spotted in many DeLand parks and around lakes. While the birds are considered invasive species, they’ve been around DeLand and many parts of Florida for decades having migrated from other parts of the Americas. According to Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology, Aztec rulers wore cloaks made from the birds’ feathers and the word Muscovy is thought to reference the Muscovy Company, incorporated in the 16th century, which brought the birds to Europe. Muscovy ducks are so plentiful in DeLand that the red-wattled fowl is almost as synonymous with the Subscribe or Login Never hit a paywall again! For as little as $1.99 a month, you can support your community and have 24/7 access to all the local news when you need it: (click here) Already a subscriber? Login