Portland’s parks department is putting out an alert about a malformation discovered in some geese.
Canada geese often fly south for the winter, but this deformity, called “angel wing,” makes it so the birds can no longer fly. That represents a potentially life-threatening situation.
A pair of Canada geese in Deering Oaks Park have what’s known as angel wing syndrome, where the last joint of the wing is twisted, causing the feathers to point away from the body.
Wildlife experts said this condition is a permanent, yet often preventable, deformity, which makes the geese incapable of migrating.
“It just makes it so they can’t fly anymore,” Portland resident Steven Gagliarde said.
“Yeah, it’s sad to see that,” Cape Elizabeth resident Heather Chase said. “We both love animals, so it does make us sad to see them like that with the wings out and can’t fly.”
Veterinarians said the primary causes of angel wing are people feeding waterfowl excessive amounts of bread, carbs and proteins.
“So when people are feeding processed foods and not natural foods, that’s what we’re finding,” Portland supervising Park Ranger Liz Collado said.
“We see people just getting bags of bread and feeding them,” Gagliarde said.
“That’s kind of a, you could almost call it a classic pastime, going to a park and feeding the birds,” Maine Audubon staff naturalist Doug Hitchcox said.
Hitchcox said extended bad nutrition leads to this deformity, mostly in male birds.
“The feathers are growing faster than the bones that should be supporting that weight,” Hitchcox said. “So that’s what causes that angel wing shape.”
“Do not feed” signs are posted in Portland and South Portland parks, where geese and ducks are prevalent.
If you must feed the waterfowl, there are healthier foods you can feed them, such as kale, lettuce, seeds and grapes, but only a handful, not a bagful.
“Just not bread or rice or things like that,” Chase said.
After being overhunted, Canada geese have made a tremendous comeback in Maine.
However, the Portland Parks Department said, “this deformity is fatal to birds.” But people can help by not feeding the birds in city parks.
“I realize that everyone wants to be around these birds,” Collado said. “But the more we take care of them, the more they will be back.”
If caught in time, some birds can be rehabilitated by wrapping the angel wings against their body for five days or even through surgery. But the more practical solution is to stop feeding ducks and geese.
