Poor Duck...1/2 a bill.

[Lakesrider]

I was putting up the thin ice signs on the docks in Wolfeboro today. As I was doing so I noticed a few different variety of ducks and Sea gulls floating around. Well this one guy shows up and just looks at me. I told him I had nothing for him, then noticed that he was missing a good portion of his top bill. I watched as he fed on something floating by and most of the water just squished out the missing part of the bill. Must of been hit by something, or got into one heck of a Duck fight. I wonder if he goes wack, wack, now?

Sorry Cell phone was all I had. But you can see the missing yellow part on top.:(

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/duck.jpg?t=1260747357

[Diver1111]

Lakesrider,

I sit on the Development Committee for the Center For Wildlife, Cape Neddick, Maine, just over the NH/ME border. I live in Exeter NH, a few miles south of Portsmouth on the coast.

Please visit:

http://www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org/index.php

They are wonderful people, so wonderful I donated $5,000 to them in April of this year towards their mission, and they are a bona fide 501(c3) non-profit organization as well.

We rescue/rehab/release all sorts of wildlife. PLEASE call these folks at 207-361-1400 re: this duck-very important before anything is done, if in fact anything can be done at all-not the least of which is capturing it. Don't assume this duck is helpless, but it does not of course look good.

We once took in a Goose that had been shot with an arrow (still stuck in her when we got her) , but survived, among other amazing stories.

IF you can capture him/her safely AFTER speaking with CFW reps please do so, then arrange for transport to the CFW. I would like to think there are other, local, sources of assistance available but if not, this is THE place to go.

I will come to Winni to get this bird myself if necessary; I can't say at this point if this is in fact, necessary.

Please let me know how this story progresses-call me personally if necessary at cell# 617-513-2778.

Thanks,
Diver111

[trfour]

this very website has an honorable ability to highlight and bring people together and resolve any problems that may impact our wildlife friends.
In kind, we can help!
I trust in this... Let's get together, and Do it again!!!! :)

[fatlazyless]

Judging by the duck's body and face, it looks like it could be a healthy duck and still very much able to feed itself. Probably, it would fast become a dead duck without eating.

[SIKSUKR]

On some long forgotten animal show I have seen bills repaired with an epoxy or fiberglass type material.

[tis]

It is so nice to find a place to get help for ducks. My neighbor and I have called F&G a few times for injured ducks and they could care less.

[Lakesrider]

I went down to the water today to look for it. But no duck. (Get it? Thanks I am here all week!):laugh:

[NoBozo]

Two years ago there were a pair of Canada Geese sitting up the hill on a grassy area from my launch ramp on Narragansett Bay. Clearly one of the geese was not doing well. Canada geese mate for life. I was in the habit of going down to the launch ramp almost every day. They were there in the same spot for a few days....then they were not. Sad. Nature takes it's course.. NB

[dpg]

Finding that one duck around the lakes region is certanly the needle in the haystack.

[rander7823]

maybe he skipped out on his bill

[GTO]

I went down to the water today to look for it. But no duck. (Get it? Thanks I am here all week!):laugh:


I think the problem here is....we're not playing with a full duck

[dpg]

Poor duck and your making fun of him. How would you like to be missing 1/2 a nose. :laugh::laugh::eek::eek:

[Pineedles]

You're right, we shouldn't make fun of him. I think I'll take him out to lunch and stick him with the bill.:emb:

[Jonas Pilot]

... are quacking me up!

[Lakesrider]

Ok I got the duck, but it is bad news....


I brought the very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As I laid the duck on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly and said, 'I'm so sorry, your Duck has passed away.'

I was distressed and asked 'Are you sure?'

'Yes, I am sure. The duck is dead', he replied.

'How can you be so sure?' I protested. 'I mean, you haven't done any testing on him or anything! He might just be in a coma or something.'

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room, and returned a few moments later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog and took it out, and returned a few moments later with a cat.

The cat jumped up on the table and also sniffed delicately at the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on it's haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at me and said, 'I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck.'

Then the vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to me. Still in shock, I took the bill.

$300.00!' I cried, $300.00 just to tell me the duck is dead!!'

The vet shrugged.' I'm sorry. If you' d taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20.00, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $300.00.

Ba Da Boom, Ba Da Bing....

Thank you...Once again I am here all week....

[NoBozo]

I just knew it. The stinkin Duck is fake. Someone better Duck for cover. :D NB

[ishoot308]

It's gonna be a loooong winter isn't it! :)

[riverat]

I would've only paid half the bill.

[Gearhead]

This story reminds me of one of my favourite poems:

John Leax, "At The Winter Feeder".

His feather flame doused dull
by icy cold,
the cardinal hunched
into the rough, green feeder
but ate no seed.
Through binoculars I saw
festered and useless
his beak, broken
at the root.
Then two: one blazing, one gray,
rode the swirling weather
into my vision
and lighted at his side.
Unhurried, as if possessing
the patience of God,
they cracked sunflowers
and fed him
beak to wounded beak
choice meats.
Each morning and afternoon
the winter long,
that odd triumvirate,
that trinity of need,
returned and ate
their sacrament
of broken seed.

[Ropetow]

It's gonna be a loooong winter isn't it! :)

Yeah...just about time for an SUV to go swimming.

[eillac@dow]

Lakesrider,

Now that was funny! :laugh:

[SIKSUKR]

My feathers have been permantly ruffled.

[ApS]

On some long forgotten animal show I have seen bills repaired with an epoxy or fiberglass type material.
I saw that show, but I recall that it was billet aluminum.

[Argie's Wife]

Since he has half a bill maybe we should name him "50 Cents" :rolleye2:

[NoBozo]

I saw that show, but I recall that it was billet aluminum.

That would probably not be so good in the winter cause his tongue might stick to the aluminum. :look: Just wonderin. NB

[Pepper]

Since he has half a bill maybe we should name him "50 Cents" :rolleye2:

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: That's an absolutely perfect name!!!

[SteveA]

This story reminds me of one of my favorite poems:

John Leax, "At The Winter Feeder".

His feather flame doused dull
by icy cold,
the cardinal hunched
into the rough, green feeder
but ate no seed.
Through binoculars I saw
festered and useless
his beak, broken
at the root.
Then two: one blazing, one gray,
rode the swirling weather
into my vision
and lighted at his side.
Unhurried, as if possessing
the patience of God,
they cracked sunflowers
and fed him
beak to wounded beak
choice meats.
Each morning and afternoon
the winter long,
that odd triumvirate,
that trinity of need,
returned and ate
their sacrament
of broken seed.

This just became one of my Favorites !

Wonderful and a great reminder of our responsibility to our fellow travelers.


http://thepoint-leah.blogspot.com/2009/06/at-winter-feeder.html

[Pepper]

Gearhead - I don't know how I missed reading that when you posted it, but I'm thankful SteveA replied using the quote feature! Absolutely beautiful poem, many thanks for sharing it!