Bill the Amorous Duck

Bill had a very embarrassing problem! He lived with two beautiful female ducks, and had a history of enthusiastically pursuing his male duties, if you know what we mean!

Unfortunately for Bill this activity was too much for him and he was unable to keep his phallus, the bird equivalent of you know what, tucked away when not in use.

Despite a couple of trips to the local vets to “put it back in” Bill continued to have the problems and each time he went off his food and became off-colour. When it happened for the third time Bill’s vets referred him to us for a more permanent solution.

When Bill came to Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service he was having problems again and it was obvious that a different approach was needed.

Given the severity of the problem, and the discomfort that this was causing Bill, we decided to amputate his phallus. This is possible in all birds and reptiles, because the urinary system does not exit in the male reproductive organ like it does in mammals.

Bill was anaethetised, and his phallus amputated. The anaesthetic lasted for approximately 30 minutes and he was given lots of pain relief and antibiotics to control any potential infection.

His recovery from anaesthesia was rapid and good but as normal he was quiet for the next 18 hours. By the next morning he was almost back to his normal self, eating on his own and being much more vocal.

Bills owners picked him up that day, to continue his convalescence at home with a course of antibiotics. After being away from his girlfriends for a few more days Bill was fully recovered and so was allowed back with the other ducks where he is now loving life again!