This page addresses a similar question in California in 2003:
http://www.birdnutz.com/gallery/bbwd_111203.htm
William Randolph
<redbirdluvr@MYA
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Maryland Birds & cc
Birding
< Subject
ASE.LSOFT.COM> Re: [MDOSPREY] Rain on BBWD
parade?
06/08/2006 04:22
PM
Please respond
to
redbirdluvr@myac
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I'm assuming the thought is if the nail is missing then it was done so
to
mark it as captive bred.
I thought the normal way to mark such birds was to remove the entire, or
most, of one or both rear toes.
I wouldn't be too hasty to use short worn nails to eliminate this as a
wild bird.
I saw many of these birds in large flocks in Texas. They were about as
tame as the suburban Canada geese we are accustomed to.
I would not vote either way on this bird, but it sure does look odd on
that pond.
> If in fact there is supposed to be a nail, then I would conclude that
> this
> was a captive duck. If not, well, then its still up in the air.
>
> My image .will be sent to those who want to take a look for
themselves.
>
> Bob Mumford
> Natural Images Photography
> Darnestown
> 301 948 6813
>
>
--
William Randolph
Keedysville, MD |