15 replies to this topic

[doc]

SoCal San Joaquin March 3........ I saw this Bufflehead male standing on the shore of pond C.  He seemed to be preening.  But later one of the shots showed what may be a wound on the back of his neck, and much of his "preening" looked to be an attempt to reach back there.  A Peregrine Falcon had swooped over the pond about an hour prior.  What do you think?

[doc]

A bit later he just sat down on the ground.  I have never seen a Bufflehead ashore before!

[illin]

Nature sucks sometimes. The duck is injured and the falcon didn't get to eat, nobody won.

 

My personal view is if it a natural event I would not intervene. If it was something caused by man then I would try to call a rehabilitation expert.

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

illin:

Nature sucks sometimes. The duck is injured and the falcon didn't get to eat, nobody won.

My personal view is if it a natural event I would not intervene. If it was something caused by man then I would try to call a rehabilitation expert.

That's assuming that the Peregrine was what caused this though, which isn't necessarily a given.

That said, though, looks like this duck isn't too seriously injured (not that we can say for sure from these photos alone), and if it can still fly or swim it'll probably be fine.

[skpensfan]

I don't think that is a wound on his neck.  There would be blood if it was, which I don't see.  Maybe missing a bit of feathers, but nothing serious.  If he was wounded, I am sure the Peregrine would be back ASAP to finish him off.

[doc]

skpensfan:

I don't think that is a wound on his neck.  There would be blood if it was, which I don't see.  Maybe missing a bit of feathers, but nothing serious.  If he was wounded, I am sure the Peregrine would be back ASAP to finish him off.

I was even wondering if a Bufflehead's neck looked like that naturally when his head was bent way forward.  But there's some reason he's ashore.  Has anyone else seen one on land?  I guess they nest on land..... have any of you Canadians seen them nesting?

[ColoTomo]

Nothing to me suggested a wound; probably just the act of having his head all the way forward opened up the view of his neck in a normal way.  However, if you thought the bird was acting sick, that could be another issue....   

Also, another comment, I once saw a Peregrine falcon fail in an attack on a Franklin's gull.  Had the gull in its talons, and dropped it, right at the shore. The gull was obviously injured but was able to float on the water and propel itself out to "safety".  By that point, the gull was too far out for me to tell what happened, but the Peregrine falcon did give up after the gull reached an area far enough out in the water.   No idea what eventually happened to the gull.

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

ColoTomo:

Nothing to me suggested a wound; probably just the act of having his head all the way forward opened up the view of his neck in a normal way.

Naw, man, birds don't normally get that bald patch. If you zoom in on the photo you can see that the feathers underneath the patch are dirty and scuffled, and that the skin on the back of the neck is definitely showing through. There are definitely feathers missing, and they weren't molted - I've prepared study skins of dead ducks (among other things) for science before, and feathers should completely cover that area. You're right, though, it certainly might have no underlying damage, just some missing feathers!

[Cavan Wood]

illin:

Nature sucks sometimes. The duck is injured and the falcon didn't get to eat, nobody won.

 

My personal view is if it a natural event I would not intervene. If it was something caused by man then I would try to call a rehabilitation expert.

What would you do if a woman caused it?

 

[doc]

Hey, Scott........... have you seen Buffleheads nesting in your area?

[Cavan Wood]

doc:

Hey, Scott........... have you seen Buffleheads nesting in your area?

No, I'm southern Ontario, so they winter and migrate through here, but they breed further north. Skpensfan is the guy to listen to. He's in their breeding area and works with ducks on the breeding grounds.

I've never seen one on land, but that doesn't exclude the possiblilty. It does look like there are just some missing feathers.  The skin looks a healthy pink.  If it's in obvious stress, for whatever reason, I would go with rehab if it's easy to catch, but even if you don't, what the predator started, a scavenger will make use of.

[PoorMatty]

I think I do see blood in the first photo.  Am I the only one?

[skpensfan]

doc:

skpensfan:

I don't think that is a wound on his neck.  There would be blood if it was, which I don't see.  Maybe missing a bit of feathers, but nothing serious.  If he was wounded, I am sure the Peregrine would be back ASAP to finish him off.

I was even wondering if a Bufflehead's neck looked like that naturally when his head was bent way forward.  But there's some reason he's ashore.  Has anyone else seen one on land?  I guess they nest on land..... have any of you Canadians seen them nesting?

Considering you mentioned that it seemed to be preening its neck a lot, I would assume some of his feathers are just out of place.  It is a bit odd that he was on land, divers aren't too keen on walking.  But it does happen.  

Actually Buffleheads do not nest on the ground.  They are cavity nesters, like Wood Ducks and Goldeneyes. 

[hbvol]

They are cavity nesters like wood ducks and I do think there is a wound visible in the first photo.

[doc]

This was at a wildlife sanctuary and I told the person at Audubon House so that's all I'm going to do.  I didn't even consider rehab..... just let nature take its course.

Cavity nesters, huh?  Interesting.... guess they really don't like being on the ground.

Thanks to all for your ideas and input.

[Julie H]

Well, I just learned something else from your post. I've never seen a Bufflehead on land either, and did not know about those beautiful pink legs.

Julie