Do ducks have claws on their wings?

[Kedreeva]

I was under the impression that they did not, however this is only the second time I've really owned a duck, and the first time I was young. Upon closer inspection while sitting with a duckling in my lap, I noticed a rather large claw on each wing. Surprised, I tried to get a glimpse of the wings of the other ducklings- I will definitely check when I decide to chase them down to bring them in for the evening (I am babysitting them as they sleep in the yard after playtime)- but I couldn't tell if they did too or not. Even if they do, they are all from the same pen/possibly same parents, so that may not tell me much.

So.... do they? Are they supposed to?

I also have not taken a close look at the other ducklings I have (the one with all the attention is my indoor special needs duckling, who doesn't mind being held) but I believe they all have brown eyes... while this one has blue eyes. They all have bright orange beaks and feet.... this one has pale pink beak and feet. Since I'm terribly inexperienced with ducks, I am once again left wondering why this duckling is different. Out of pekins, runners, muscovies, and rouens, do any of them share these qualities, blue eyes and pink feet/beak?

 

[Wifezilla]

Could just be a "throwback". It happens with chickens. After all, chickens and ducks are actually just fluffy little dinosaurs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/apr/13/uknews.taxonomy

 

[AngieChick]

I found a diagram of a basic bird skeleton:

Yep, I'd say a throwback.

 

[Kedreeva]

I checked the others, and they have them too... I mean, I knew they had the small bone there, but I guess I haven't seen a full claw.

Any ideas on the pink bill/feet?

 

[silkiechicken]

Not sure on ducks, but chickens do have a slight "claw" at the tips of their wings. Two of them. When you butcher old birds, often it is small and pops off the tips like the toe nails after scalding.

 

[Kedreeva]

Interesting. Like I said, I knew they had an extra digit there.... no idea it was a claw! Thought it was smooth tipped, at least it is in the chickens I have.

 

[Wifezilla]

More fluffy dinosaur info for the nerds in the group

http://rosettastone.wordpress.com/2006/06/22/fossil-water-bird-suggests-alternate-evolutionary-path/

As for the weird color bill...hummm... Could this little guy be a mule? (aka a sterile muscovy cross?)

 

[Kedreeva]

Quote:
It may be possible but I'm not sure. I believe mules are females of one breed with muscovy dads, but the muscovies in the pen are all girls. If it goes either way, then it's more likely, but from what I understand of mules, they also don't have retarded growth. In fact, I think they are purposely bred because of their very large size, and this little guy is... well, tiny. I kinda hope he IS a mule, because they are supposed to be *very* friendly and don't fly.

 

[sourland]

Mules can be either the product of muscovy drakes on mallard derived hens or mallard derived drakes on muscovy hens. Works both ways. Claw is probably a left over from when they were tree climbing dinosaurs. Think velociraptors, and don't faint in the duck pen or broiler house:

.

 

[AdamD77]

It's funny you've mentioned this, I actually came across it a few weeks ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_feather#Alula