Recession Duck (no bill)

I spent lunchtime at local pond, and among the varied bird life this immature duckling was the star. It was swimming happily, drinking from the pond and clambering on to the grassy bank to feed. So I think it fair to say that it's coping well, despite the severe lack of a bill.

There were of course other ducks in the vicinity, rather better endowed in the bill department…

But just as eager to show off their feathers…

And a young moorhen, proudly showing off its new shoes 😉

While all the time, on the far side of the pond a pair of geese were playing a game of 'Who-can-stand-on-one-leg-longest'

Back in the garden tonight, the bold vixen made an appearance. She's been showing up on the trail cam (as has one of the cubs), but it's been about a week since our paths have crossed. Her eye seems to be healing well.

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, except the vixen. The shot of her was with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Dudley

    28 Jul 2009

    Wow, that is a shocking sight. I've seen deformed bills but not to that extent. Poor duck, I wonder how it happen, predator, hunting or vandals?

    Great caption on the geese standing. Money is on the dark colored one 😀

    O, great photos too! :star:'s

  2. gdare

    28 Jul 2009

    Geese 😆

    Which one won?

  3. Words

    28 Jul 2009

    Neil, it's not a pretty sight but otherwise she was as lively as the rest of them. I'll try to check back on her.

  4. Words

    28 Jul 2009

    Andy, yes that bill is quite a state. I'll try to check back at the pond and see how she's doing (she may need a rescue centre). It won't be hunters, but a dog might have got to her.

  5. Ukwildlife

    28 Jul 2009

    Wow Ive not seen a bill (or lack of one) like that either.

    Nice pics

  6. Words

    28 Jul 2009

    Darko, I think they're still staring each other out :whistle:

  7. Flying Red Fox Blog

    29 Jul 2009

    Its amazing how wild animals can cope with disabilities so well, like that Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter programme where he found a croc that had a limb missing and half its bottom jaw, he was saying they are so tough that the injury it got is no problem to it!

    Shame hes gone now, used to love watching his Crocodile Hunter series………. not sure i would want to wrestle with a croc though! :yikes: 😆

  8. Words

    29 Jul 2009

    Mark, they have an amazing capacity to just get on with things. I checked back today and couldn't see her. It's a quiet village pond with lots of regular visitors so I would expect that someone may already have sought help for her.

  9. CedarFox

    30 Jul 2009

    Ouch. The duck kind of reminds me of the bald eagle they found with her beak shot off. She eventually got a replacement beak at least.

  10. Words

    30 Jul 2009

    Eric, it's not too pretty so I hope things turn out ok for her. Replacing an eagle's beak must have been an interesting bit of work :up:

  11. SittingFox

    31 Jul 2009

    That goose photo is hilarious 😆

    Poor duck – that looks like a major injury 🙁

  12. Words

    31 Jul 2009

    Adele, thanks. I hope the duck is ok. I won't be able to check there again for a few days.

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