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Birding/Wild Ducks and Geese

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Expert: - 6/14/2007


Question
I live in Hartford, CT. There are quite a number of wild Geese and Ducks that seem to hang around park areas especially those with ponds  -- pretty much year-round.   I was curious about where they lay their eggs and if it's wise to try to hunt for them (for home use) since the price of domestic duck eggs is so high in this area.  If I could find some, are they edible and is it legal to gather them?   Thanks for any information.

Answer
It is illegal to harass or kill any wild birds (except those hunted species with a hunting license.) It is also illegal to collect feathers, disturb nests, AND gather eggs. In addition, you would be gathering fertilized eggs in all stages of development and would not be very edible. Plus, park areas tend to be high in fertilizers and maybe pesticides - park ponds are often polluted - I would not eat them even if it were legal.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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