Another possible solution would be your friendly family dentist, beleive it or not. I worked for a dentist for many years, and the light-cured composite filling materials we used were non-toxic, very strong AND waterproof--since it all went in the mouth. Your dentist may enjoy an unusual challenge and be able to incorporate dental materials, along with the light-cured composite, to rebuild the ducklings' bill. It would not, of course, grow with her, so you'd need to eventually do it again or arrange for a true prosthetic bill. The light-cured composite IS quite expensive, but I'll bet your dentist could figure something out or have some good ideas for other things that might work. It never hurts to ask, most dentists are frustrated artists and LOVE weird things like this. :) Velvet ~:>

Addacat, your duck does sound like she is in pain. You should probablt call a Vet, and see if there is something they can do to help her. I've seen ducks with part of their beak broken off; is that what has happened to your girl? It's dangerous that she isn't eating; is she drinking water any? Keep offering her stuff to eat. My ducks love cheese crakcers, and even though that isn't the best thing for them I do give them some every once in a while for a treat. Maybe she might like that?? If she isn't drinking either try getting a dropper and dropping some water down her throat. Let us know how she does, maybe some one else will come along and know what else to do. Genny

Amity and Kristin Just got a call from my sister who is visiting her aunt and friends in Arizona, well thats in the desert [spelling] anyway she was on a ladder picking oranges and this hummer landed not a foot from her head just watching her , every time she moved the ladder to a different spot the hummer would also move close to my sister, so she assumed the hummer had a nest in the tree but she never did see that nest, but the hummer just kept her eye on my sister , I had to laugh at her , I also had feeling of awe and jealousy. She said there are lots of hummers there, said the temps were in the 90s, but she didnt want to come back here till it warmed up. You may not have interest in this , but I thought you might being the hummer lovers that you are.

I spotted a hummer with a distinctively curved bill this afternoon at my feeder in Northern Utah. This summer I had at least two pair of ruby throats, black chinned and for the first time rufous. I now seem to be hosting only the migrators. This bird's bill was as curved as the caribbean hummingbird - much more curved than the Lucifer. It caught my attention because it was so distinct. I suppose it could be a deformity. Has anyone else seen curved bills in Utah recently?