Injury to Duck's Head

[The Core Four]

I didn't realize that there is a specific Ducks forum, so am copying my post here:
There is a group of four ducks ("The Core Four") that live on the lake where I have a home. The neighbors in our cove LOVE these ducks and they are pretty domesticated, as far as feeding and watching over them. (They see me and come running to me.) Peace reigned for years until these two male interlopers moved in and started mating unbelievably aggressively with two of the females. No amount of yelling or rock throwing (not with an intent to truly hurt) deterred these determined males. One of the females has sustained a head wound that looks awful. I thought maybe a tumor or growth showed up suddenly and then realized, of course, it is where these males have been grabbing her head. It looks AWFUL. Does anyone know what part of her body has basically erupted from her head (see attached pics)? She actually functions completely normally so I guess it's okay but ... well, just ... poor baby. We were able to capture these two aggressive males (who seemed to run together) and drove them to the far, far side of the lake. We released them there, unharmed, and they haven't shown back up. I am convinced that they would have ultimately killed one or both of the females as their aggressiveness seemed to be increasing. Peace has been returned to The Core Four, so I am hoping this horrible wound will heal. If you can believe it, it actually looks a bit better as the constant attacks have stopped. The wound doesn't look as "angry." What is protruding though? Thanks! Martha Johnson P.S. I uploaded the injury pics as well as one pic of the entire gang.

 

[ruthhope]

Where are you? City/state.as this is a wild duck, you should have wildly life rehabbers that can help you with this female. Your initial though thst it is a tumor could be correct. Or it might be an abscess that has formed into a boil like infection thst has leaked in the center. I really cannot know from the photos.

You might even have vets that see wildlife without charging whoever brings the wildlife in. I am in St Augustine FL and we have a vetinery hospital that takes in wildlife. After treatment /care the critters are discharged to our local wildlife rescu organization.

I would make inquiries where you are to see if any vet will see the duck. Also find out who are your wildlife rehabbers.

Let us know how you get on

 

[The Core Four]

I'm in Bridgeport, TX. Actually, I think this injury is related to the overly-aggressive mating. She was also missing feathers down the back of her neck around that particular wound. It is right where these bully-males were grabbing her head/neck. Someone here said, "Crested birds sometimes have skin flaps that produce a base for the crests. Looks as if the drakes denuded and injured one." and I bet that is it. I think it would do more harm to her than good to take her someplace. She is very tied to her little pack of ducks. One duck (a much more gentle white male) is getting old and losing his vision. She provides his eyes. He follows her around like crazy. It would kill him if she were to be gone. Thanks for the tips though.