Transgender duck??

[shawluvsbirds]

I know certain fish turn the opposite sex when there is a lack of that sex in their environment (the most dominant clownfish becomes female [All are born male] and grouper females can turn male if there are none available to breed with), but I find it very hard to believe that birds are the same way. This sounds like it's just secondary traits changing because of hormones, not literally becoming a fertile specimen of the opposite sex

Yes, I did learn about that in biology when I wasn't too busy sleeping or smoking cigarettes.
That's why I'm open to the slight possibility it could happen in a very rare case scenario. Even that article pointed out that the duck died shortly after this supposed transformation occured though. So if and when it happens the bird maybe doesn't live long enough to have a good case study done.

I maintain that I can't believe it until I see it happen for myself.

A lot of the posts I see here on byc about it are nothing more than simply a drake changing from nuptial to eclipse plumage.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Yes, I did learn about that in biology when I wasn't too busy sleeping or smoking cigarettes.
That's why I'm open to the slight possibility it could happen in a very rare case scenario. Even that article pointed out that the duck died shortly after this supposed transformation occured though. So if and when it happens the bird maybe doesn't live long enough to have a good case study done.

I maintain that I can't believe it until I see it happen for myself.

A lot of the posts I see here on byc about it are nothing more than simply a drake changing from nuptial to eclipse plumage.

I found this by my drake pond.
Should I be expecting eggs soon?

 

[Geena]

Too funny!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Are you saying Shaw hung out in the boys restrooms back in high school?
I could see that.

 

[Geena]

Are you saying Shaw hung out in the boys restrooms back in high school?
I could see that.

I'm pretty sure she did, but just so she could smoke and flip quarters. That's what Ralphie told me

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

Animals don't really.. transition.

Its a human thing. If a human is born in the wrong body, they will transition to their real gender.

animals seemingly do it for biological/breeding purposes.

What is interesting to me about your statement is that is assumes that internal feelings are more real that physical biology and when the two are out of line with one another that it is the physical reality that should try to change rather than internal feelings. This is way bigger than the transgender debate—I’m not even talking about that, necessarily.

You would almost never hear someone say “born with the wrong feelings”. Legitimate question: why is that? Why have we elevated feelings over physical reality and made reality subject to our feelings? This is something I think about sometimes.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

What is interesting to me about your statement is that is assumes that internal feelings are more real that physical biology and when the two are out of line with one another that it is the physical reality that should try to change rather than internal feelings. This is way bigger than the transgender debate—I’m not even talking about that, necessarily.

You would almost never hear someone say “born with the wrong feelings”. Legitimate question: why is that? Why have we elevated feelings over physical reality and made reality subject to our feelings? This is something I think about sometimes.

That's another whole different can of worms though that we could stir debate about till the cows come home.. People have more self awareness than animials do and get to decide what choices are right for them.

 

[chickentrains]

exactly, Shaw. Thank you

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

That's another whole different can of worms though that we could stir debate about till the cows come home.. People have more self awareness than animials do and get to decide what choices are right for them.

Yes. We do get to make our choices. And you’re right. It’s a philosophical discussion that is probably not going to be worked out on a message board. Haha

 

[Mariella posey]

Dumb question, what if you gave a perfectly healthy "female" duck testosterone and a perfectly healthy "male" duck estrogen? Would the process be to cruel? Has something similar been tried? By a professional of course!