The red leg theory

[Wingman]

Saw on another post where somebody mentioned the new duck/red leg theory. I, for one, have seen local ducks(ones I see all year on the fishponds) that have bright orange legs in the winter. I do not believe that new ducks have red legs because they have been in cold/clear water. Shoot a mess of those pretty red legged birds and then look at their feet as you walk out to your truck....they have faded to dull orange. You know, I have always heard that the red legs are new birds...I don't believe it...but I don't know why some have red legs and some are dull. Anybody got a rebuttle?

Wingman
ISAIAH 40:31

[Brokenbucket]

The same chemical balance that adds color to the "Breeding Plumage" adds the color to the legs also.

Local SC birds will have the same bright red in Dec/Jan as migrants coming in with the weather fronts.

SCWA releases pen reared birds into the Santee-Cooper swamps and their legs are identical to the migrants that arrive during that time....

[Morning Wood]

The theory I have always heard is that the bright legged birds were local. Migrating ducks reduce blood flow in their feet and draw them into their feathers when flying significant distance. As a result, when "new" birds are in the area and are killed, you can tell because their feet (especially the webbing) are not as bright as resident birds.

[mississippi_duc_htr]

All I can say on this issue is that if my feet were in freezing water during the colder months they would be red too!!!!!!hehehehehe [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[HDC]

It is the silliest thing I have ever heard otherwise good duck hunters talk about. I usually keep my mouth shut in the duck blind and agree how great it is that the ducks feet and legs are red, but I think it is a total crock.

If it is true about cold water changing the leg color, shouldn't the true northern ducks have blue legs?

[Anatidae]

I agree w/ 'HDC'....it requires great restraint when many folks present their theories on 'red-legged' mallards......(usually, much more than I'm able to muster). I've heard outlandish synopses that rival such statements as, "I killed 2 mallards last year, that were banded in Laurel, Maryland." [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] .....but, I suppose I've shown MY ignorance at times, too.

I'm not a scientist but I play one when someone, obviously lacking in sound reasoning, disputes what is generally accepted by the 'scientific' community.....(that is, as long as the discussion is confined to general terms).

What 'Brokenbucket' has described is the theory that is accepted, relative to difference in coloration.......'has to do with mating plumage and courtship. Guys wanna look their best [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] when they're trying to impress the women-folk, ya know.....(at least they did, back when I was going thru that 'phase'). [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I understand how duck hunters rationalize that whatever signal in Nature, triggers that response in the body chemicals, could be temperature......(because cold weather typically brings 'new' ducks.....or ones that respond, more favorably, to our attempts to lure them into range).

Therefore, folks surmise that cold weather (in latitudes ABOVE the one that they're presently hunting 'AT') 'pushes' birds farther South which makes them 'new' (relatively speaking) to those warmer temperatures that they become 'new' TO. [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]("Say, WHAT?") [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

I understand this logic, but don't subscribe to it, because it's not accurate......but I DO see how it parallels the concept of mating plumage and courtship......and lends itself to convenient and convincing explanation among the 'clueless' masses. After all, both courtship and cold temperatures coincide with duck season (in 'normal' years:rolleyes [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img].

(Dang.....'almost got lost in my own logic....or lack, thereof)!

Therefore..........I agree with 'Wingman's and 'HDC's assessment that ducks w/ bright orange feet aren't necessarily 'new'.....they' just ready to 'BOOGIE'. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

(from KC & the Sunshine Band)...."that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, 'wid ORANGE FEETS....uh-huh, uh-huh......"

[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[Wingman]

Good night, Anat...you sure do go around the world to explain something [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Wingman
ISAIAH 40:31

[Big Lou]

I say...I say... I say that boy spends too much time pecking to try and say something! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] He must be a professional pecker!??????????? [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

Well.....I suppose that's one theory. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[SkippyJ]

Vascular dilation.

[ July 15, 2002: Message edited by: SkippyJ ]

[Double_R]

Waterfowl feet have concurrent venation that minimizes bloodflow to the extremeties (to decrease heat loss) while allowing blood circulation. Two big heat sinks for waterfowl- bills and feet. That's why the climb on logs and stick their bills under their wings. Impetus for the change (the alternate molt that is bright plumage, bill, and leg colors) is the same as for almost all wildlife: photoperiod. Photoperiod is basically duration of daylight. Photoperiod stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete hormones (change in the "chemical balance"). The hormones stimulate biological (i.e., gonadal) and therefore behavioral (reproductive "mood") changes, as well as the "suit of clothes" they need for proper courtship (handsome and attractive colors).

It's the same with white-tail deer: buck rut and doe estrus cycles are each functions of photoperiod, not cold weather.

[ July 15, 2002: Message edited by: Double_R ]

[Anatidae]

See, I told ya'll there was a 'trigger'....(although 'Impetus' sounds a bit more scholarly). [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] 'Didn't know exactly what the 'Impetus' WAS, but I figured it had SOMETHING to do with the venereal [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] equinox. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img].....and not necessarily temperature. [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Concurrent venation, vascular dialation, endoplasmic reticulum.......('Dutch Dog', I STILL crack-up everytime I think about that one, man.....THAT is, by FAR, the funniest thing I've read on this site .....that's been about 2 years ago, hasn't it?) [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

I KNEW someone would provide an accurate explanation. Thanks for the info, 'Double-R'. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ July 16, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[GulfCoast]

I just thought it meant they were in an "amourous mood" [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Hey Anat: What color are your feets right now ... [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

Well, since I'm one o' those 'local' birds, I'd have to say.....'bout the color of a mallard's feetses....(that's plural for feets.).....that's been standing in Delta mud for at least a week!! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

.........but I'm SURE they'll turn BRIGHT ORANGE when I 'migrate' to Sasketchewan in October. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[ July 16, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[GulfCoast]

Is that like the plural of "y'all" is "all y'all"?