Sick Ducks?

[bridger2010]

I took my dog out for a duck hunt last night and she found two ducks (mallard hens, both alive) in the reeds before we even started shooting. Neither could fly but they were able to run a little bit. Neither looked like they had been shot. Most interesting were the almost-bald spots under their wings (about 1 inch by two inches, at the front edge of the wings, running from the wing-body joint out to the wing, almost symmetrical on both wings). The feathers were mostly gone in these spots, with just some down remaining.

First time I have seen this. Anyone know what might be going on with these ducks?

[zurevins]

I also saw this-this year on a shoverler. The same thing. I am not too sure what it is either....

[pointer]

really late hatch mabey?

[bridger2010]

I was thinking it could be lice/fleas but it was fairly symmetrical on both wings and nowhere else. I tried googling it but couldn't find anything relevant.

[BrainTan]

most likely just young birds from a late brood or an adult in moult. Did they have pin feathers?

[bridger2010]

I couldn't see any pin feathers, just a bit of down, and only in those spots (under the wing), otherwise the birds looked normal.

[Take Em!]

Yeah, was out in late september just walking around and had this happen a bunch.. dog kept picking up birds around the slough that couldn't fly yet. I just think it was a really late hatch.