Angel wing also known as airplane wing, slipped wing, crooked wing, and drooped wing is a syndrome that affects primarily aquatic birds, such as geese and ducks, in which the last joint of the wing is twisted with the wing feathers pointing out laterally, instead of lying against the body. Males develop it more frequently than females. It has also been reported in goshawks, bustard chicks and psittacine birds (budgerigars, macaws, and conures).
The syndrome manifests as an incurable anatomical condition which is acquired in young birds. Due to a high-calorie diet, especially one high in proteins and/or low in vitamin D, vitamin E and manganese, one or both carpus (wrist) joints are retarded in their development relative to the rest of the wing; for reasons unknown, if only one wing is affected it is usually the left one. The result is a wrist which is twisted outwards and unable to perform its usual function. Angel wing symptoms include stripped remiges (flight feathers) in the wrist area, or remiges protruding from wings at odd angles. In extreme cases, the stripped feathers may resemble sickly blue straw protruding from wings. In adult birds the disease is incurable and usually leads to an early death as affected birds are rendered effectively or totally flightless. In young birds wrapping the wing and binding it against the bird's flank, together with feeding the bird a more natural diet, can reverse the damage.
The only wild waterfowl populations known to be affected are those fed by man. In Sweden, ten different park populations of Canada geese produced angel wing. The following year one flock was not fed any artificial feed and there were no angel wing goslings produced.
The theorized cause of angel wing is the excessive intake of carbohydrates and proteins, together with insufficient intake of vitamin E, low dietary calcium and manganese deficiency. Angel wing is frequently observed in waterfowl residing near humans, and the disease can often be observed in areas where geese or ducks are excessively fed bread (especially white bread). To prevent angel wing, waterfowl should not be fed white bread, popcorn or other human foodstuffs. Duck seed is an alternative for duck feeders.
- "Avian Nutrition Glossary". LafeberVet.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- "Bilateral Valgus Deformity of the Distal Wings (Angel Wing) in a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)". Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- "Here's Another Good Reason Not To Feed Bread To Ducks In Spokane Park Ponds". City of Spokane news. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- "Warning not to feed white bread to ducks in Stratford". BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
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