Sally E. Bahner Photo
One of the best things about living by the shore and waterways is the easy access to its wildlife. Who hasn’t tossed some leftover bread to ducks and geese swimming along the rivers and ponds and been thrilled with their excited response?
Not so fast.
John, Michele, and Genevieve Hughes of Branford are on a mission to educate people about the dangers of such a practice, especially in the winter when the temptation to feed wildfowl is high.
Hughes said he and his family began researching the issue after seeing a few birds with deformed wings at various parks in town. “We were disheartened to learn the condition was caused by humans feeding waterfowl,” he said. He discussed the family’s findings at a recent meeting of the Young’s Pond Commission. He has also spoken before the Supply Pond Commission.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Their campaign, Angel Wing, is based on the wing deformity that birds experience when fed nutritionally inappropriate food – and that means the white bread that’s often tossed their way. The imbalance of calcium from the mom birds eating the bread affects the unborn chicks, resulting in over-developed wings.
In addition there’s also a decrease in reproductive rates, an increased susceptibility to predators, the loss of flight ability, and lowered life expectancy.
With Permission
So far their efforts have led to three metal signs that will be posted at the Supply Ponds and one at Young’s Pond in Pine Orchard. (There are already two temporary signs at Supply Ponds posted by a member of the Open Space Commission). One of the deformed birds was spotted at Supply Ponds though it’s no longer around and it’s believed to have been killed due to its inability to fly. Here is a sample of what the permanent signs will look like.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Mallard pairs and lots of seagulls were seen during a visit there. The temporary sign was in place and there was a suet feeder and thistle feeder frequented by chickadees.
A brochure detailing the problems associated with feeding the wild birds can be downloaded from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Hughes says that some wildlife professionals think that millet or cracked corn (purchased from a feed store) is a safe alternative to bread and crackers, but other wildlife agencies feel strongly that wildfowl should not be fed by humans at all, as it can upset the ecological balance in an area.
Angel Wing, also known as airplane wing, affects ducks and geese.
The last joint of affected birds is twisted with the wing feathers pointed out to the side rather than lying against the body. The stripped feathers may look like sickly blue straw pointing out from the wing. The disease is incurable and leads to an early death because the birds can’t fly.
A high-calorie diet – high in protein and/or low in vitamin D, vitamin E, and manganese – results in the lack of development of the bird’s wrist joints.
An Internet search points to many sources describing the problem in UK and Australia. Awareness here in the U.S. is growing more slowly. Click here for an article from the UK on the dangers of feeding white bread to ducks.
Information here cites the death in the mid-90s of 30 swans from starvation in West Haven in an artificial feeding environment, while 800 swans living in a nearby natural environmental survived.
Hughes said that just posting “do not feed” signs is not enough. People need to know why they shouldn’t feed the ducks and geese. The signs at the Supply Ponds explain why, listing poor nutrition, spread of disease, unnatural behavior, pollution, overcrowding, and delayed migration. People are encouraged to allow the birds to return to their natural habits.
Hughes realizes people may be upset by not being able to feed the birds, but hopes they will become educated.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
There’s a woman who feeds the ducks almost daily along the Farm River. After learning about the angel wing problem, we’ll view her efforts a little differently.
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