MD Osprey:
I think most people know to try and observe the hind toes of the Kent
County bird and if possible, try and get a description or a
photograph. Banding a leg or clipping the right hind toe (formally,
the hallux) are two of the four methods exotic waterfowl breeders are
required to use to mark their birds. A third method is pinioning of a
wing, which results the bird not being a fly any significant
distance, so this method should not be an issue for us birders.
However, there is a problematic fourth allowable method, namely
tatooing a number/letter combination on the web of of one foot. Good
luck seeing that with your scope, eh?
So the absence of a clipped hallux is not dispositive that the bird
is of wild origin (can you tell I originally wanted to be lawyer?),
but we would still like to learn of the status of the toes.
The Kent County bird is often seen at a distance, in high grass, in
flight, or on the water so I don't think anyone has positively
observed the toes yet. If so, please let us know. And, keep trying to
get photos of the toes.
I tried to find some reference images on the web.
The last image on this web page of a 2006 New York bird provides a
good look at what is apparently a normal Barnacle Goose hind toe ...
http://www.philjeffrey.net/barnacle.html
The sixth image on this web page of Bill Hubick's is of a 2006
Garrett County bird showing an apparent clipped (missing) hind toe ...
http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20061203.php
Here is a ultra close-up of a normal toe from a 2009 Ontario bird ...
http://mustap.smugmug.com/keyword/toe#!i=748438086&k=bVfdu
Hope this helps!
Phil
===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
301-261-0184
mailto:[log in to unmask]
MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
===================================================
############################
To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1 |