Page 124 - Hand rearing birds second

108 Hand-Rearing Birds

an individual straightforward without having to capture it to read a band number. It is essential
that any identification be checked daily as these can cause constriction injuries if they become too
tight (which can happen in a very short period of time). The benefit of individual identification has
to be weighed against the stress associated with handling the birds daily for band checks; this activ-
ity should be timed with other necessary interventions to minimize handling.
For older birds, Tyvek™ wristbands designed for humans can be cut to size and placed on the
tarsometatarsus, and then used to facilitate individual bird identification. Like cable ties, they are
inexpensive and come in a wide array of colors. Identification numbers can be written with a per-
manent marker on the wristband.
As an alternative to individual bird identification, birds can be maintained in natural clutches
such that only siblings are housed together in a group. This method is often preferable in a wildlife
rehabilitation setting when large groups of waterfowl are often managed within a short period of
time. Any individual that presents separately or has specific medical issues can be individually
banded and added to an established clutch of the same age.

­ Criteria­for Intervention

In an avicultural or zoological setting, it is common practice to remove eggs from a nest several
days prior to hatch for artificial incubation. This allows the eggs to benefit from natural incubation
and, following removal, often stimulates the adult birds to re‐nest, which increases overall produc-
tivity. Sea ducks are far less common in captivity than other types of waterfowl and can be chal-
lenging to breed as these species generally have higher mortality rates, so there is an interest in
maximizing productivity. It is up to the individual aviculturist or zoo to determine whether they
want to attempt to parent‐rear a second clutch, assuming that the birds will produce a second
clutch; many factors influence this decision, including time of year and facility. Common Eiders
(Somateria mollissima) are dedicated mothers and are often allowed to parent‐rear offspring and
raise young in a crèche.
When dealing with wild sea ducklings, intervention is often necessary as they should not be seen
without a parent. There are often few opportunities for wild fostering of orphaned ducklings.
Common Eider exhibit the unusual rearing strategy of crèche formation such that groups of
females with ducklings aggregate. Wild fostering attempts can be successful with young Common
Eider provided that the crèche is not disturbed during the attempt. State waterfowl biologists are
an excellent resource to help with wild fostering of Common Eider ducklings to ensure minimal
disturbance to the crèche.

­ Initial­Care­and Stabilization

Initial care varies immensely depending on whether the duckling is captive‐bred or presented as a
wild orphan. Captive‐bred ducklings pulled for artificial incubation hatch under low‐stress condi-
tions, are kept warm from hatch, and are offered appropriate food and water. Ducklings presented
to wildlife rehabilitators are often debilitated and have been held by finders for varying lengths of
time and offered a variety of often inappropriate food items.
Regardless of whether the duckling is captive‐bred or presented for rehabilitation, the focus
should be on providing heat and on encouraging self‐feeding behavior. Ducklings not hatched
under ideal conditions should be warmed in an incubator. A heat lamp or heating pad can suffice