I don't think it matters whether there is a nail or not -- the "rule" (supposedly) is that the entire hind toe (hallux) of the captive bird is clipped. Now whether this is actually done, routinely, by holders of captive waterfowl I am not sure -- the photos which were referenced earlier, of a free-flying captive in California, did show a (half) clipped hallux on one foot. Maybe someone who keeps or knows more about captive waterfowl can enlighten us -- is this "rule" always observed or only on occasion by some fanciers?

The major factor, IMHO, is that the Maryland BBWD appeared at a time when there has been an unprecedented influx of this species into the mid-Atlantic states, as noted on the Cornell web site. It could well that a captive-held BBWD escaped at a time when wild members of this species are showing up to the north and south of us, and this is something the Records Committee will have to consider, but it does appear the opposite -- that this is a wild bird -- is as (or more) likely.

As to the bird's tameness, it has also been noted that wild waterfowl often become quite habituated to being fed, especially when "tame" birds are about -- just visit the Rod N' Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach in winter and feed the Canvsbacks that hang around the pier with the tame Mallards.

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD



 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Nicholas Lund <>
> I also took some BBWD pics (what a pretty bird) that can be found at:
> http://birddc.blogspot.com/
> is that a toenail or isn't it? I can't tell.  You decide.
> 
> -Nick
> 
>