You are walking to your next class when suddenly, you come across some freaky, mutated, red-faced, ugly-looking birds. You wonder, “What the heck is that?”

Well that, my friend, is a Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata).

First things first, they are not really ducks. Interestingly enough, despite their name and duck-like appearances, Muscovy ducks are considered evolutionarily closer to geese.

This is mainly due to their large size and their eggs needing more time to hatch than duck eggs. Also, unlike ducks, they do not quack. They hiss.

As most people find obvious, these creatures look too exotic to be North Carolina natives.

Muscovy ducks are native to Mexico, Central America and South America. However, domesticated breeds of Muscovy ducks have been raised and released in North America.

“Our local Muscovy duck population is due to them being bred in captivity,” said Christine Stracey, assistant professor of biology and the College’s ornithologist. “The ducks likely escaped or someone let them go in order for them to be on our campus.”

A couple years ago, these birds came to Guilford and made our campus their new home. Since then, they have become iconic members of the school’s wildlife population.

“I consider them part of the family,” said senior Kristian Laureiro. “They are a very recognizable part of campus.”

Walking around campus, these ducks — or rather, geese — are hard to miss. They are big, oddly colored and have bright, red bumpy faces. Some students are even afraid of them.

“Once, one of the Muscovy ducks was standing on the walkway I was using,” said former Early College student and high school senior Morgan Lano in an email interview. “I moved to go around it and it began to hiss and follow me. I ended up running away and since then (I’ve avoided them).”

However, they are nothing to be afraid of.

“Most geese or ducks will only chase someone if their babies are nearby,” said Stracey.

With any new species introduced into an environment, there is always concern as to how they will affect other life in the area. The college, however, does not need to worry; a few Muscovy ducks are far too few to harm anything environmentally.

Still, students are curious as to just what they do on our campus. Some have even expressed interest in putting trackers on their ankles.

“If we want to learn more about them and their part on the Guilford campus, I don’t see why it is so wrong,” said Frank Siapno, Early College junior.

Students are rightfully interested in these exotic creatures. Not too many students can claim they have seen something so outlandish.

Somehow, these freaky fowls have managed to waddle their way into our hearts. They are our own ugly ducklings, but unlike the story, the school loves them just the way they are — bumpy faces and all.