Bizarre Foot Deformation

[Hawkmaster]

Anyone ever seen anything like thing before?

[HunterPaul]

Anyone ever seen anything like thing before?
never....bet its hard to get off a kill though.... do all the toes work ...

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Is that a real picture HM ore a joke one??

[Hawkmaster]

100% Real, as far as know!

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

I see it has arab jessies on it, where does the pic come from, do you know? I have never seen anything like it before...:confused:

[Sean]

you get children born with 6 fingers, dont see why it would be fake. just feel sorry for whatever finds itself under those.

[Tr1gger]

Depends if it can use them all? Never seen anything like that

[Stephen]

Is it just on one foot or both?

[Biarmicus]

Hello,

This thread is really interesting.

I recently found an article about something similar about deformities on two wild raptors at: http://www.onlinefalconry.com/anecdote.htm.

It mentions claws on a Peregrine's wings and a Cooper's hawk with no talons.

I hope it's relevent to this thread.

Britt :-)

[Barbary Boy]

but i really think its a dodgy photo?

[Hodgesargh]

Here are two pictures of a young wild kestrel brought to us earlier this year.

The bird was put to sleep by a local vet and the carcass sent to Niel Forbes (at his request) after sending some images to him. This was his response

"Dear Clive - certainly this case is interesting and I would be most grateful if you would send the carcase to me.

Polydactyl has been previously reported in Mauritius kestrels, but a further case would be interesting to see.

Best wishes"

If anyone would be interested, I have about 20 images of this bird that could be posted (at higher definition)

[Biarmicus]

Here are two pictures of a young wild kestrel brought to us earlier this year.

The bird was put to sleep by a local vet and the carcass sent to Niel Forbes (at his request) after sending some images to him. This was his response

"Dear Clive - certainly this case is interesting and I would be most grateful if you would send the carcase to me.

Polydactyl has been previously reported in Mauritius kestrels, but a further case would be interesting to see.

Best wishes"

If anyone would be interested, I have about 20 images of this bird that could be posted (at higher definition)

Hi Hodgesargh,

I would be very interested in seeing a couple more photos on the kestrel as I have always wondered about foot deformities in raptors and how they cope/survive in the wild or captivity.

Thanks.

Britt

[Coedhirion]

can see how that can happen. a bit like dew claws on a dog. Some Welsh sheep dogs have an extra toe on the hind foot, often this toe isn't realy attached properly and wont work.

[Fawkes]

wow. I've seen several cats with 5 or even six toes (all functional), but never anything equivalent in birds. I'd love to see more pictures of that kestrel, Hodgesargh.

[Tr1gger]

I recently found an article about something similar about deformities on two wild raptors at: http://www.onlinefalconry.com/anecdote.htm.
It mentions claws on a Peregrine's wings and a Cooper's hawk with no talons.
I hope it's relevent to this thread.
Britt :-)

Unless they hav photographic proof i wouldnt trust those accounts im afraid.

More pics of the Kestrel please?

[Hodgesargh]

Two more.

I'll try to post cropped HD versions to give close-up views.

As far as we could make out, the bird had survived whils being fed by its parents but had been unable to fend for itself once it had been driven out.

By the time we got it, it was fairly thin and, although able to get around fairly well, couldn't hunt.

I don't think I've ever felt sorrier for a bird before!

[Tr1gger]

Poor ******. thanks for the pics

[Biarmicus]

Thanks Hodgesargh, :-)

I feel sorry for the poor kestrel...

This is interesting as I have always wondered about stuff like this ever since I wanted to get into falconry.

Does anyone know if there has ever been any raptors born in captivity with deformities?

I have also wondered if like poultry, some raptors eggs have double yolks and when hatched end up with twin raptors. Has there been any records of twin hawks or other wild birds?

Thanks again,

Britt :-D

[TiercelR]

-I only was seen (in live) raptors with more than 12 train feathers, is say: 13, 14, 16 or so train feathers.

[Sean]

is it a wild handed in kestral? or is it a captive bred? was it an inbred?

[NGuruve]

thats freaky poor thing wander if it could survive in the wild looks pretty deformed hey:roll:

[Hodgesargh]

Yes, it was a wild bird and believe me, all 5 toes on the right foot worked very well.

[Hodgesargh]

The real problem concerned the wings. The vestigial wings developing from the alula prevented proper articulation of both wings.

[Barbary Boy]

is it a kestrelXosprey?

[Biarmicus]

Poor Thing...

Thanks Hodgesargh.

Would anyone know how common this problem is and if the chances of similar deformities are greater in certain species of birds?

I'm not saying it is but it appears to resemble the effects seen in human babies from the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War or Dioxin poisoning.

Thanks Again Hodgesargh,

Britt:-)