For
many, feeding birds at ponds and parks is a cherished childhood memory; one
they lovingly recreate for their children and grandchildren. (Think Mary Poppins!) Yet tragically,
thousands of birds die annually due to a condition overwhelmingly caused by
people who don't know this beloved activity can be deadly.
"Angel
wing" is a deformity commonly found in ducks, geese, swans and other
waterfowl. There has been little scientific study done on the condition, yet
most wildlife and waterfowl experts agree the overwhelming cause of angel wing
is an unhealthily high protein and/or carbohydrate-based diets. The disorder
causes the last joint in one or both wings to unnaturally twist outward, rather
than lie flat against a bird's body.
Birds
with angel wing are stripped of their ability to fly, and therefore their main
method of defence. Since the affected birds are unable to escape predators,
they are often maimed or killed by them. Additionally, when life-threatening
weather conditions develop, they are unable to fly away to safety, and instead
starve, succumbing to injuries or freezing to death.
The
birds most likely to contract angel wing are those residing in parks, on ponds
and in public areas where people feed them unhealthy food. Because birds grow
much more rapidly than humans, each day's nutrition has a direct effect on
development. Even a few days of improper eating can cause irreparable damage.
Research suggests feeding waterfowl an unhealthy diet can accelerate growth,
causing the wing to develop too quickly for proper bone support.
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