Written by Lisa Kubota - lkubota@kgmb9.com February 23, 2009 05:41 PM
A strange bird sighting at a popular Oahu park prompted lots of questions. People first noticed the unusual-looking animal a couple of weeks ago at Magic Island. Some park regulars were concerned because it appeared to be getting weaker.
"It's white and black, and it's very large. That's what caught our eye, the size of it," said Canadian visitor Fred Aertsealer.
Aertsealer and his wife travel to Hawaii to vacation each winter. The Canadian snowbirds stopped to take picture of the bird they guessed was a goose.
"It's kind of laying there with its head tucked under sleeping. It doesn't look like it's well because it's not moving around," said Aertsealer. "We have geese back home and normally if you got this close to one they'd either wander away or actually chase you."
Park regulars said the bird just mysteriously appeared.
"I thought it was somebody's pet. They were here just spending the day or whatever but as time went on it's always been here. The poor thing hasn't moved," said Hawaii Kai resident Doug Olson.
Someone placed containers of water nearby. Lettuce was also scattered in the grass, but some people are still worried about their feathered friend.
"It was unusual to see it laying there. We weren't sure if it was okay or not. We're hoping it is though," said Bobbi Aertsealer.
Experts at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture identified the bird as a domesticated Muscovy duck. It is native to Mexico, as well as Central and South America. They were introduced to Hawaii and state wildlife officials estimate there are a few hundred of them here. Still, those who frequent the park hope the duck finds a new home.
"I hope somebody comes to pick it up, somebody responsible (like) the Humane Society or state agriculture or somebody," Olson said.
A Hawaiian Humane Society spokesperson said a couple of calls came in about the bird, but the duck flew away each time a worker tried to catch it.
See the video here: http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/14381/40/
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