[obol] Falcated Duck

[Alan Reid]

If we assume that this bird is the same one that was here other years this 
indicates it is wild, otherwise the previous ones still count as Oregon 
records.  If a bird escapes and survives multiple years it is now wild.  It 
is not logical to say that a bird still domesticated gets away and migrates 
multiple years.

Alan Reid  areid at peak.org
2 miles below Leaburg
on the McKenzie Hwy.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DAVID IRONS" <llsdirons at msn.com>
To: <brrobb at comcast.net>; <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
Cc: <greg at thebirdguide.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:35 PM
Subject: Re: [obol] Falcated Duck


> Roger et.al,
>
> I have re-examined your photo of the Falcated Duck and compared it to
> several other online images of standing ducks.  I think Brandon's 
> conclusion
> on this bird is correct.  There is clearly a toeless stump on the near 
> leg.
> If this is a standard method of 'marking' captive waterfowl, then I am in
> agreement with Brandon, this bird is an escapee.  Quite beautiful even if 
> it
> will be deemed uncountable.
>
> I'm suspect previous acceptance of this record will be quickly reversed at
> the annual OBRC meeting in April.
>
> Dave Irons
> Eugene, OR
>
>
>
>
>>From: "Roger & Betty Robb" <brrobb at comcast.net>
>>To: "obol" <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
>>CC: Greg Gillson <greg at thebirdguide.com>
>>Subject: [obol] Falcated Duck
>>Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 13:40:50 -0800
>>
>>I received an email from Brandon Reishus, a game bird biologist for ODFW.
>>He saw my photo of the Falcated Duck on Greg's website and thought the 
>>hind
>>toe might be clipped.  He asked me for more photos which I sent and he now
>>believes the bird has a clipped rear toe and is an escapee.  Brandon is 
>>not
>>on OBOL, but said I could post his comments which are below.  I will also
>>send Greg the photos I sent Brandon.  Let the discussion begin - again.
>>
>>Roger Robb
>>Springfield, OR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Hi Roger,
>>
>>I was looking at your pic of the falcated duck on Greg's site and a
>>question
>>came into my mind.  As a waterfowl biologist, I've always wondered about
>>this bird's origin and have never been able to convince myself that it is
>>truly a wild bird.  Anyway, when I saw your photo, of the bird standing 
>>out
>>of water, my mind told me to look for a clipped toe.  Removing a rear toe
>>from captive reared waterfowl can be used as one of the acceptable ways to
>>mark them, via USFWS permit rules.  Anyway, I quickly saw the toe on the
>>closest leg, but i cannot make out if there is one on the far leg, but it
>>really doesn't look like it.  Is it possible that you have other photos
>>showing that leg more clearly or a larger image that makes it more clear?
>>Would it be possible for me to take a look at them?
>>
>>By the way, great picture of this stunning duck.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Brandon Reishus
>>Eugene, OR
>>
>>
>>
>>Hi again Roger,
>>
>>Thanks for the pictures.
>>
>>The picture w/ the bird facing to the left appears to have the most
>>evidence
>>that the bird is missing it's rear toe on the left foot.  Also, looking at
>>the pic name FalcatedDuck05 I believe what remains of the rear toe that 
>>has
>>been clipped can be seen on the inside of its leg.  This bit of toe is
>>quite
>>normal on a duck who has been clipped.
>>
>>One point is the USFWS requires captive reared birds to be marked with a
>>clipped right toe (if marking with the toe removal method).  But even
>>though
>>this bird is not up to USFWS specs, I find it doubtful that anything but a
>>human removed the birds left toe.
>>
>>As a game bird biologist for the ODFW I have knowledge of the permitted
>>bird
>>propagators in the state (only people propagating for sale, etc need to be
>>permitted, you may possess, without permit, properly marked captive reared
>>waterfowl).  Some of the propagators list what kinds of birds they have,
>>while most who have ducks, simply state ducks.  Recently, one of our
>>propagators mistakenly sent their federal sale/transfer form to us.  These
>>forms must be completed for each transfer and submitted to the federal
>>permit office.  They must list the species, sex and marker for each bird.
>>One of the several transfers was for a male falcated duck, so at least 
>>some
>>of the propagators in this state have falcated ducks.  That's not to say
>>that this bird couldn't have come from some other state or province 
>>though.
>>
>>Anyway, I guess I'm now convinced that the bird is an escapee from
>>captivity
>>somewhere, which I guess deep down I've always suspected.  When the bird
>>first showed up at Kirk Pond I had some hope (I drove down from Corvallis
>>to
>>see him for the first time that year) but every time he moves it seems to
>>be
>>to some type of urban, captive style, pond w/ out the netting of a flight
>>pen.
>>
>>While, I guess that's my thoughts on the matter and I hope they're not too
>>disappointing; they kind of are for me.
>>
>>Thanks again,
>>Brandon Reishus
>
>
>>_______________________________________________
>>obol mailing list
>>obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
>>http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol
>>
>>To unsubscribe, send a message to:
>>obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> obol mailing list
> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu.
>