There are also environmental issues related to artificially increasing the number of ducks and geese in a given area. The addition of these nutrients to water (a process known as eutrophication) promotes excessive algae growth, leading to decreased oxygen levels, foul-smelling green and cloudy water, fish kills, and an overall decrease in water quality Habitat Degradation Feces generated by overcrowded waterfowl result in increased deposition of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen in the water and surrounding landscape. Dense populations of these scavengers bring the potential for further disease outbreak, including zoonotic diseases that are transmissible to humans. Duck and goose droppings, in particular, might contain germs such as E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Cryptosporidium.įor areas with high volumes of supplemental feeding, it’s also quite common for the unconsumed, leftover food to attract scavengers, including raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and rats. This problem is magnified as these birds have become non-migratory or resident birds due to feeding by humans. Research has shown that the excrement of geese contains a wide variety of pathogens capable of infecting humans. A single goose can produce up to 1.5 pounds of feces each day. The risk of disease transmission is partially due to the fact that large numbers of birds leave large quantities of feces. In some cases, humans have been affected by disease transmitted by waterfowl. The intense competition for poor quality food combined with other stressful interactions often cause the ducks and geese to have suppressed immune systems, which reduces their ability to resist infection. There have been numerous outbreaks of botulism, avian cholera, duck plague (duck enteritis virus), and aspergillosis (fungal infection) in urban duck ponds where supplemental feeding is a regular activity. Overcrowded habitats also are prime territories for disease outbreaks. This abnormal nesting behavior may put them at risk of urban predators, vehicle collisions, and perils not associated with nesting in natural areas. Females that manage to escape the male ducks often nest up to a mile away from the water. ![]() This not only leads to plucked featherless areas and skin lacerations, but females often drown as they cannot escape the driven males. While extra food may appear to be a good thing, it may lead to an expanded waterfowl population beyond the carrying capacity of the habitat. Without increasing space and other resources, ducks and geese can become stressed and overcrowded. Increased numbers of animals leads to increased competition for food weaker birds in these environments often sustain severe injuries from more dominant birds. During the spring breeding season, gangs of male ducks physically attack each other to get access to female ducks. This carrying capacity of the habitat can be artificially increased when supplemental food is added. In the wild, a particular lake or pond habitat can sustain a certain number of ducks and/or geese – there is a maximum number of individuals that can successfully reside there indefinitely, with enough food, water, and shelter. ![]() What many people don’t realize is that feeding wildlife can lead to severe health consequences for wildlife and people. ![]() Why not?įeeding the ducks is a very old and popular family pastime. 290-90. California state law also reflects this. Section 251.1 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations prohibits the harassment of any game or non-game bird or mammal or fur-bearing mammal, expressly including intentional acts such as feeding that disrupt the animal’s natural foraging behavior. ![]() Feeding ducks, or any waterfowl, is not permitted on the UC Davis campus according to the UC Davis Policy and Procedure Manual Sect. Wildlife in the UC Davis Arboretum is part of what makes it a special place. By Nina Suzuki, waterway steward No crackers for quackers - keep waterfowl healthy and wild
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