Very likely a lost training bird.  However, sending it to a wildlife
center would be a mistake.  This is a captive bred bird and should not be
introduced to the wild. Those centers mean well, but would simply release
it to the wild.



> While birding Hughes Hollow this evening, I discovered a mallard drake
> midway along the bank of the first impoundment on the right, halfway
> along the dike. Its wings had been bound tightly aound its body with
> tape.  I don't normally carry a catchpole or similar capture device, but
> the duck let me get within a few feet before it -- as one might expect
> -- went into the water and swam away. I had hoped in vain to be able to
> take it to Second Chance Wildlife Center where they might be able to
> remove the tape.
>
> In any event, wanted those of you who bird Hughes Hollow and might have
> the means and wherewithal to help the fellow out to know about it.
>
> My brief Internet research indicates that this is a fairly common
> practice in hunting dog training.  How shameful!
>
>


-- 

William Randolph
Keedysville, MD