|
What is the external "armored", silverfish-like parasite commonly found crawling on wild ducks? - A Squeamish Wife of a Duck Hunter
- Donna Caver
Answer:
 Hi Donna!
I had the pleasure of being acquainted with your “armored” ectoparasite (external parasite) while cleaning ducks this past weekend. Your description fits the physical appearance of Waterfowl lice. Lice found on waterfowl are six-legged, greyish coloured, have flattened elongated bodies, and are unable to jump or fly. There are three specialists of avian lice in which inhabit different areas of the birds body. These specialists include the wing lice, head lice, and body lice. Waterfowl are able to remove most ectoparasites by efficiently washing and preening. However, the body shapes of avian lice allow them to avoid preening by inserting themselves between the barbs of wing feathers or by hiding within the tightly packed neck and head feathers. Although it is rather unpleasant having these insects crawling up your arms as you are cleaning, they are host specific to birds and not a threat to humans.
I hope this eases your mind a little Donna! Thanks for the question and best of luck in the upcoming waterfowl season!
Carly Michie - Delta Waterfowl Biologist
|
