Birds of a feather

Pressure. Let it build and build, and something good might happen.

Diamonds are the result of pressure and time and the right ingredients. That doesn't always apply in nature. The photos above are examples of some of nature's most interesting and unusual work.

They also are the winners of the ugly duckling contest announced in the May/June issue of Outdoor Indiana. It literally was a contest with no rules.

The photo of the duck on the left, "Spot," was taken by Kathy Meyer of Cutler, Ind. Spot has to have one of the worst paint jobs I have ever seen.

The large-bodied white ducks that we refer to as domestics are derivatives of mallards, which are the most abundant ducks in the world. Frequently, mallards and domestics mate with somewhat predictable results.

Spot is a hybrid from one of those matings, although the original mallard/domestic coupling could have taken place a few generations ago.

The ducks on the right are a different story, and they might not have any mallard lineage at all. They are modern versions of domestically bred muscovies.

The photo was submitted by Alicia and Amy Smith, ages 12 and 10 from Tipton, Ind. It was taken at Riverbend Campground, a popular camping area along the White River in Hamilton County.

Muscovies in the wild can be found from the Rio Grande on the border between Mexico and Texas to western Colombia and northern Argentina. Wild muscovies look nothing like the creatures above, which can be found in various patterns and colors.

The wild birds are all black, with dorsal plumage that can display an iridescent purple-green glow. Also, muscovies have white wing linings and shoulder patches.

Most likely, muscovies have been domestically bred for hundreds of years. Spanish explorers and conquistadors reported that native peoples bred ducks and geese.

Captive muscovies have been bred around the world, mostly for dinner. The birds are larger than mallards and are the most preferred duck meat in the world, according to the International Mucsovy Breeders Association.

Not all are bred for the table, though. Some are bred as pets. Domesticated muscovies can be friendly around people and they are said to eat a wide variety of insects.

The most obvious feature of this goofy bird is the mask, which is exposed skin. The mask on the wild muscovies is much less pronounced. Drakes (males) usually have black masks, with small number of red bump highlights. Some wild hens (females) have more red in their masks.

There you have it. Outdoor Indiana's salute to nature gone wild. Thanks for all the entries of some really goofy ducks. We're still chuckling over some faces that only a mother could love.

Stephen Sellers, editor