If you see Mainers feeding bread to geese, stop them immediately.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, considering that feeding the cute geese and ducks at the local pond was one of my fondest childhood memories. I think the idea of ​​feeding geese bread comes to mind subconsciously in the same way that giving a bone to a dog does, but it turns out it’s actually quite damaging to them.

On the Portland, Maine Facebook page, I noticed a photo of the local geese at Deering Oaks Park, looking a little disheveled.

Nicole Burnett, the woman who posted the photo, asked:

Who to contact if Canadian geese are injured in Deering Oaks Park? I don’t know if these two have broken wings. Please let me know.

Tons of Mainers took to the comments section, suggesting everything from broken wings to a condition called “angel wings,” which I’d never heard of.

What is Angel Wings Syndrome?

According to wildlifediary,

…angel wing disease is a condition in which the flight feathers grow faster than the underlying wing structure. In turn, it causes the last joint of one or both wings to twist abnormally outward, instead of laying flat against the bird’s body. It robs the bird of the ability to fly.

So why feed these birds bread? Long story short, it makes them sick.

Why is it bad to feed bread to geese and ducks?

According to recconectwithnature.org, bread and crackers are considered junk food to them.

Just like humans who eat too much junk food, ducks and geese can suffer serious consequences when they eat too much bread and not enough of the natural grains, aquatic plants, insects and other small invertebrates that they would enjoy if we weren’t so fond of feeding them bread.

Well, that’s it. I see this a lot in Deering Oaks Park where the duck pond is, and I know they have a sign warning not to feed the ducks bread, which is a good thing. However, I’m sure it will happen again, as it was a staple since childhood. Times have changed, so do the right thing and protect the birds!