That is the same kind of wariness I first observed.   It is my feeling that 
wild birds that fall in with local tame birds may be wary at first, but when 
they perceive that the locals are not afraid, they adjust their behavior 
accordingly, especially when there is abundant food.   Look at birds coming to your 
feeders.   They are undoubtedly wild, but they certainly become tame.   So 
behavior is, unfortunately, not a definitive character to sort out wild vs captive 
birds.   Besides, if a captive bird was so tame, why would it escape?   
Nobody said this would be easy.

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD


In a message dated 6/7/06 9:49:28 AM,  writes:


> Hi --
> 
> When Barry and I (and couple other birders) were looking at the BB Whistling 
> Duck  Monday evening, it was with the geese and mallards and (as many have 
> noted) taking tidbits of food thrown at it. Mark Hoffman was taking photos and 
> he joked about "having to back up" to keep it in focus. A bit suspicious, as 
> Norm says....but...
> 
> The duck and a couple of Canada Geese then swam under the bridge to the 
> little enclosed cove. We all walked to the other side of the bridge, Mark still 
> taking photos, and we were all leaning over and talking a bit loudly. The 
> geese (and duck) started to swim back towards us. The geese continued under the 
> bridge, ignoring us -- the duck stopped, turned sideways, looked nervous, 
> cocked its head up and looked at us for several seconds, and then swam as fast as 
> it could -- which was about twice as fast as it had been swimming -- under 
> the bridge, and when it got to the other side, flew about 150 feet away 
> towards the gazebo area.
> 
> I don't know if it meant anything, but to me it was not acting like a 
> completely tame bird at that time. It may have felt "trapped" in the cove area, as 
> after the geese swam away, it was the only waterfowl present. While in the 
> flock, it acted like the other birds and seemed to ignore the many people 
> present.
> 
> Waterfowl can be pretty challenging to a records committee!
> 
> Gail Mackiernan
> Colesville, MD
> 
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: Norm Saunders <>
> > The whistling-duck was still at the Rio Road area of the Washingtonian La> 
> ke
> > last evening about 5:30.  We ran into Duvall Sollers and J.B. Churchill >
> > ther as well.  This bird is so tame...it does make one suspicious.
> >
> > Best,
> > Norm Saunders
> > ==================
> > Colesville, MD
> > 
> >
> 
>