'Lucky duck' recovering after beak surgery

A "lucky duck" is recovering at a wildlife hospital after an injury left the lower half of its beak hanging at a right angle.

The bird was treated by Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court, near Ringwood in Hampshire, after being caught by a member of the public in Fordingbridge.

Head of nursing at the centre Carla England said the duck was fortunate to retain blood supply to the damaged part of its beak, allowing surgeons to pin it back into place.

She said the injury could otherwise have left the bird unable to feed itself.

"It's not a common injury but we have seen it before," said England.

"You can't always save a beak that's so badly damaged. It depends entirely on the blood supply. If the blood supply has been lost, there's often no way forward."

She said she did not know how the bird was injured.

After a period of recovery, the duck will be reintroduced to water at the centre.

England said the bird's rehabilitation will also enable it to waterproof its body - another vital process that depends on a functioning beak.

"Feathers are a bit like a thatched roof," she said. "Through preening, and with oils from their oil gland, they put all the feathers back into the correct order and become waterproof again.

"When birds are injured or unwell, they often lose that ability. Surgery is a major event for them, just as it is for people, and recovery takes time."

The duck will remain at Moyles Court for at least six weeks.

England emphasised that the centre is a charity relies on donations for its work.