I did my weekly tour at the Muskegon County Wastewater yesterday (Oct 15). There were large numbers of Canada Geese (2,000 - 3,000). I did see 3 Cackling Geese. I got to the Wastewater at 8:00 a.m., and by 8:30 a.m. the geese had left the large lagoons to forage in farm fields.
I saw 3 Bald Eagles. This one had been eating a gull. The last time I was at the Wastewater, I also noticed an eagle eating a gull. The gulls must taste like chicken! :-)
I also found this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the Wastewater. It had a deformed bill but seemed to be healthy with no problem flying.
- Charlie DeWitt
Charlie posted the eagle photo but emailed the sapsucker photo to me in case I didn't want it posted here. Thanks for your concern, Charlie, but I think it's interesting and just one of those quirks of nature. If anyone does have a problem with the posting, it was 100% my decision. Regarding the bird itself, I do not see how it's surviving with that beak, but more power to it!
ReplyDeleteYou might send the photo and observation data to Julie Craves at UofM. I think I recall that she has a database of birds with deformed bills.
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