Waterfowl Management in Alton Baker Park

Each year more waterfowl are choosing to take up year-round residence in Eugene’s urban parks and become dependent on food handouts. Although feeding and interacting with waterfowl can be enjoyable, it can also cause long-term health problems for these animals, potential health risks to humans, and environmental degradation.

Changes coming to Alton Baker Park
A number of changes will be taking place around the reflective pond in Alton Baker Park over the next few months. The changes will improve water quality and public health, and create a more natural and sustainable home for the ducks and geese. Parks and Open Space staff, contractors, and volunteers will work together to balance the needs of park users and waterfowl by:

• Removing the concrete on the south side of the pond and replacing it with native plantings
• Relocating the domestic white geese to a more suitable habitat
• Encouraging the Canada geese to seek a more natural and less urban environment

Two specially trained border collies, Will and Remi, will be used to encourage the Canada geese to return to more natural areas. Together with their handler they will be making the area a little less welcoming to the geese by herding and moving the geese without harming them. All waterfowl management activities practiced by the City of Eugene will follow protocols approved by the Humane Society of the United States. Eugene’s park system includes over 3,000 acres of natural areas offering high-quality habitat where Canada geese are welcome.

Visitors to Alton Baker Park are encouraged to enjoy these animals from a distance and respect their wildness in order to give them a better chance at survival.

Wildlife and Habitat Degradation

Concentration
Feeding water fowl discourages their natural behavior and can rapidly lead to overpopulation in urban parks. Many of these birds will suffer injury from the aggression and competition that occur when wildlife become concentrated. High populations also cause costly environmental damage to the park and make it less enjoyable for community members. In addition, bird droppings can increase algae growth in nearby water bodies and harm fish populations.

Loss of Natural Behavior
Increasingly our local parks are becoming home to waterfowl that are choosing to stay and be fed year-round rather than going on their natural migration. When left on their own, waterfowl will find new areas where food sources are more plentiful. Being fed by humans on a regular basis also causes wildlife to lose their innate fear of humans. Waterfowl that keep their natural fear of people have the best chance for survival.

Serious Health Problems

Angel Wing
Angel wing is a disease that affects waterfowl, primarily geese and ducks. The condition is acquired by young birds and is believed to be the result of a diet high in carbohydrates from food sources such as bread. Feeding waterfowl human foods creates a diet imbalance which causes the feathers of birds to grow so fast that the wings are not able to be supported by the wrist bones and the bones begin to twist outward. In adult birds the disease is incurable and usually leads to an early death as birds are rendered flightless.

Impacts on Human Health
Bird droppings in a concentrated area may create high levels of bacteria and parasites in the water which can pose a risk to human health. Geese can also be aggressive during nesting and brood-rearing season and have been known to bite or chase people.

Community Education
Community education is an important aspect of the City of Eugene’s waterfowl management program. Components to the education program include a brochure, interpretive signage near the reflective pond that highlights some of the harmful effects of feeding waterfowl, and this web page. In the future, the City of Eugene will do more outreach to school children about other ways to feel close to, and learn about, wildlife without providing food handouts.

For additional information please feel free to contact:
Rob Hallett, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Turf and Grounds Supervisor at 682-4935.

Portions of this text were taken from the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s article "Feeding Waterfowl."