Muscovy Duck has a very broad distribution; despite local population declines or even regional extirpation, this species is not threatened at the global level, and its IUCN Red List conservation status is Least Concern (BirdLife International 2015). In Mexico, it is considered Endangered because its distribution and/or population size in the country have declined dramatically, threatening their viability (Wetlands International 2006).

Wild Muscovy Ducks are heavily hunted throughout much of their range. On the other hand, muscovies can respond well to efforts to augment populations, such as through the provisioning of artificial nest boxes (Markum and Baldassare 1989).