Black duck parasite ???

[mo elgammal]

I shot a black duck today and when I came back home to clean it I fond some white parasite looks like maggots on their breast ... I don't know what it is and can I eat it or not .. Has anyone seen that before . Thanks

 

[Rob_F]

Commonly referred to as Rice Breast: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_28.pdf

 

[Tim Rousseau]

Yes they are systs that form in the muscle tissue, I get atleast a half dozen per season with this. Have also found it in pintails, shovelers, and mallards. It supposedly does not harm the birds.

 

[Mike Sanzone]

Shot a black duck last season with it.....I wouldn't eat it

 

[george w]

If you don't breast them out, you will not know whether they have these parasites of not. Cookung will render them into protein.

 

[chris k]

We have shot 3 black ducks this year with rice breast

 

[mo elgammal]

Thanks everyone for the info .. With all my years of hunting ducks this was my first time seen that on a duck .thanks

 

[Joe Dunleavy]

I'd say half of the Canadian geese I breast out have this parasite.

 

[Carl]

I rarely see it in the ducks we shoot, last one was a spoonie about 5 years ago.
Like others noted, harmless once cooked but it does look gross. Not a bird to make jerky with!!!

 

[Ryan Werden]

I usually get one or two a season with rice breast. I know guys that eat them...but I don't.

 

[Kris Schaumburg]

late season prob 1/4-1/2 our birds have it,