Geese in Maine are eating too much bread, officials say. It’s causing deformities
It may seem like an act of kindness, but feeding geese causes malformations in the birds’ wings that can kill them, Maine parks officials say.
The Portland Maine Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department shared images of a goose with a drooping wing — a condition called angel wing, officials said in a Sept. 9 Facebook post.
“A friend of mine noticed this a couple of weeks ago,” commented one person on the post. “There are so many perils to feeding wildlife.”
Angel wing syndrome affects the growth of a bird’s wing, causing a twist in the last joint of the wing and making the feathers point away from the body, according to Maine Audubon.
The condition is caused by an “unnaturally high-calorie diet,” and in most cases, cannot be treated, according to the organization’s website.
“Giving bread to wild ducks is basically like giving them candy,” naturalist Doug Hitchcox said. “There is virtually no nutritional value in it.”
Wildlife experts consider angel wing fatal because it damages feathers’ insulating properties and can render birds flightless.
Better options for feeding geese include vegetables, most fruits except citrus, and rice or corn, experts said.
While the park already has “do not feed” signs, officials said they are working on additional signage to warn the public about the condition.
This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Geese in Maine are eating too much bread, officials say. It’s causing deformities."
