Congratulations to Drew Pikey and Hayden Tilman for harvesting this odd ball on their farm in Missouri! Birds like this were once a source of debate and speculation, but thanks to genetic analysis through duckDNA, we now have definitive answers. This bird, genetically verified as a female, is the result of a mating between a female Muscovy Duck and a male game-farm Mallard. Its prominent white bib is noteworthy, as this is a trait commonly seen in Muscovy Ducks and certain game-farm Mallard hybrids. Its dark plumage, large body, and iridescent wings are reminiscent of its Muscovy parentage, yet it lacks the Muscovy’s characteristic red fleshly caruncles. In the wild, it may be uncommon for Muscovy Ducks and game-farm Mallards to hybridize, as these birds are in different genera. However, we suspect this bird may have spent time in a farm or urban setting where anything is possible and oddball hybrids are much more common! #duckDNA #DucksUnlimited (fb)

Want to help conserve?! Take 10 seconds and follow the link below, and YETI will donate $1 to Ducks Unlimited! Seriously, that’s all you have to do. Let’s get to clickin’ for conservation! www.ducks.org/clicks 📷: Wall Media #C4C #DucksUnlimited (fb)