Were on ducks are CDC feathers?

[ak_powder_monkey]

I keep looking for CDC feathers on the ducks I shoot but can't seem to find them, anyone know where they are?

[bfic]

From Wikepedia

Cul De Canard (CDC) (French for "Duck bottom") is the fluffiest down feathers from the bottom of a duck; they are very buoyant and are used when tying dry flies. They owe their buoyancy to their proximity to the ducks preen gland which secretes an oil distributed by the duck as a cleaning and waterproofing measure. It is unnecessary for the angler to add additional oil by way of floatant.


Sorry - butt you asked

[traditionalist]

I keep looking for CDC feathers on the ducks I shoot but can't seem to find them, anyone know where they are?

http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwcdc/index1.html

The oil in CDC is not responsible for the floatation properties, this is a result of the feather structure. Fresh, oil impregnated CDC, direct from the duck, will float better, as long as it is not clogged with oil, but treated and dyed CDC will also float without any oil, due to the feather structure.

CDC is best washed before use in any case, for hygienic reasons

Trad.

[buford]

Pick the duck butt of all the main feathers. You will notice a small tuft of oily feathers on the top of the hind-end. These are the cdc feathers.
buford

[sharpshooter223]

so are they ass feathers?

[Davy]

yup ,, ass feathers

[traditionalist]

so are they ass feathers?

No. The feathers come from the region of the uropygial gland ( preen gland) which is situated above the tail feathers. Here is the gland on a pigeon;

http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/bird_uropygial.jpg

Here is the position of the gland on a raptor;

http://www.themodernapprentice.com/preen_gland.jpg

It is in roughly the same place on all birds that have the gland. ( Not all do). Duck and other water-bird glands produce more oil than other birds, and have more feathers with this structure.

Feathers from around the anus are useless.

The preen gland is always situated on the bird´s back at the base of the tail feathers. For more info;

http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-474593/preen-gland

Trad.

[sharpshooter223]

so is the preen gland acctually that oily all the time? or was that just water on the pigeon? does it smell bad on ducks? what is the oil used for, waterproofing?

[traditionalist]

so is the preen gland acctually that oily all the time? or was that just water on the pigeon? does it smell bad on ducks? what is the oil used for, waterproofing?

The gland is stimulated by the bird in various ways to produce oil and other substances. Sometimes the bird rubs across the gland with its head or its beak, sometimes it actually "nibbles" at the gland to increase secretion. In waterfowl the gland produces more waterproofing oil. In land birds less. It can smell somewhat rancid. Often it does not smell of anything much at all, unless heated ( when washing or hot dyeing the feathers for instance, when it can smell waxy and oily). The actual chemical composition of such preen gland secretion varies considerably, and can be used to determine various things about a bird. Like a chemical footprint.

The "preen gland oil" sold commercially is a synthetic. ( No use on CDC either!).

The produce of all preen glands is used by the bird to preen and if necessary waterproof its feathers. This is a complex subject, and requires more space and explanation than I can give here in a short answer.

If you do a search on "preen gland chemicals", for instance, you will get a lot of info.

Like this; http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=preen+gland+chemicals&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_en___DE230


For info on "nibbling" like this;

QUOTE Just as important, preening involves oiling the feathers. If you watch a bird preening, occasionally you'll see it arch its head over its back, poke its tail skyward, and appear to bite something where its back joins its tail. When a bird does that, it's gathering oil from its "preen gland," more technically known as its uropygial gland. When a bird nibbles and combs its feathers with its beak smeared with uropygial oil it's not only arranging them, but also oiling them. Like oil rubbed onto leather boots, preening oil keeps feathers flexible, resilient and somewhat waterproof. Also it inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria. In short, my Carolina Wrens do have a "magic shield" when it rains, and that shield is the consequence of preening with oil.

You can see a pretty picture of an Eurasian Collared Dove nibbling at his uropygial gland at http://birds.cornell.edu/crows/images/ECollar-Dove-preening-339a.jpg
UNQUOTE

From this URL; http://backya2.fatcow.com/n/04/040215.htm

You can also do a number of searches on various similar things, like this;

http://www.britishcolumbia.com/Wildlife/wildlife/information/Oil%20Pollution%20and%20Birds.htm

there is a lot of info about this, as it is the subject of considerable research.

Trad.

[Loopy]

Phew I am glad someone else answered this original question! I would probably have answered in an Angl Saxon way and been deported as well as being kicked off the forum.

A few years ago in England it was fashionable to have a DA (Ducks A***) haircut but the fallen plummage would never have helped us tye those fluffy little flies like CDC & Elk one of my favourites.

;)

[traditionalist]

:)

[Philster]

From Wikepedia

Cul De Canard (CDC) (French for "Duck bottom") is the fluffiest down feathers from the bottom of a duck; they are very buoyant and are used when tying dry flies. They owe their buoyancy to their proximity to the ducks preen gland which secretes an oil distributed by the duck as a cleaning and waterproofing measure. It is unnecessary for the angler to add additional oil by way of floatant.


Sorry - butt you asked


In Italian/American they're known as Fumunda Feathers. As in Feathers Fumunda the tail... Best known as the wing and tail of the Fagetaboutit fly

[Willie Bodger]

In Italian/American they're known as Fumunda Feathers. As in Feathers Fumunda the tail... Best known as the wing and tail of the Fagetaboutit fly

Actually, I believe that is the Fugetaboutit fly... :clown:

[traditionalist]

The point is, and the main problem for people who are looking for them, is that the feathers are not UNDER the tail, they are on the bird´s back, above the tail feathers.

Feathers from around the bird´s anus are completely useless.

[papafsh]

Feathers from around the bird´s anus are completely useless.

Except to the duck, of course, keeps their little butts warm and that's good enough for the ducks. :rofl:

LB

[Philster]

The point is, and the main problem for people who are looking for them, is that the feathers are not UNDER the tail, they are on the bird´s back, above the tail feathers.

Feathers from around the bird´s anus are completely useless.

Yeah, but Fumover feathers isn't funny:confused: