Behaviorally the Ruddy Duck may be the most interesting (and amusing) waterfowl species in North America. Its nesting customs are curious to say the least, its courtship rituals have been described as ludicrous and the electric blue bill of the breeding male is unique.
1/2500 f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
There’s been a pair of them hanging out at the 4-way pond at Farmington for some time now. They spend most of their time resting and sleeping but the excitement caused by a nearby Pied-billed Grebe in a panic dive from some imaginary threat (if there was one I didn’t see what it was) woke this adult female up and soon she raised up in the water in a wing-flapping display. The wing position, raised body, long stiff tail and especially the feather on the bill make this shot for me. I do wish for a lower angle on the duck but that’s virtually impossible at this pond.
Ruddy Ducks are incredibly interesting birds for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- comical courtship displays that include the male pointing its long tail toward the sky and rapidly thumping its blue bill against its chest as it makes a strange bubbling sound or alternately slapping his feet on the water’s surface while making a popping sound (video clip but it’s the second clip, below, that I refer to in my title).
- their eggs are unique in that they’re rough and pebbly when first laid and they’re the largest eggs in relation to body size of any duck.
- they have great difficulty walking and are less mobile on land than any other North American waterfowl – in fact females usually push themselves forward on their belly rather than attempting to walk in an upright position (like grebes their legs are set far back on their body)
- they’re often considered to be the most pugnacious of all waterfowl during the breeding season – they’re even known to chase rabbits feeding along the shoreline
- their intromittent organ (functionally a penis) has many spines and knobs and is the largest intromittent organ relative to body size of any other waterfowl.
The structure/evolution of duck intromittent organs is absolutely fascinating. I’m including this link to illustrate, but beware – the approach is irreverent and the humor may be lost on some. If you have delicate sensibilities you may wish you had read about it instead of watching the clip (some may have seen it before).
Personally, I loved it.
Ron
Well done! So funny and interesting…adore the comments too!
Thanks all
Agreed, Susan – the comments are fun. Thank you, everyone.
OK! I watched the second video…the craziest, most pornographic video I’ve ever seen…UNBELIEVABLE!!! When a female duck’s been screwed, there’s no other word for it!!! God!!!
Good, I’m glad you watched it, Patty. A little clinical education never hurt anyone! I’m sure the avian version of Masters and Johnson would be proud…
Hi Ron, Great images and educational as always. Now, how about a post on Opposum reproduction? Also a little different…
Thanks!
Cheers,
Dick
If I could only get some photos of an opossum, Dick – quite the trick here in Utah…
Now I better understand duck hunters. Jealous sods aren’t they?
Sometimes you crack me up, EC!!!
Well, I snorted quite loud at that Video! Very funny! I have a Trio of Geese who are not even close to that well endowed but, exhibit a good deal of corkscrewing if I give them a pond LOL
Interesting that they apparently need the pond to put them in the mood, Leah.
waterfowl don’t require a pond to mate but, its quite difficult if they don’t at least have a puddle 🙂
That video about duck intromittent organs is hilarious! It was also interesting to me because I’ve observed a gang-rape in Mallards, which was not pleasant to see, to say the least. The breeding behavior would probably be far more interesting in person than on that video. I like the posted image for the same reasons you do.
I’ve witnessed that behavior in Mallards too, Susan. It was difficult to watch.
You are indeed a source of wit and wisdom. Hilarious!!! Thanks for continued good morning readings.
Thanks for the feedback, Karen. I was hoping the clip wouldn’t be offensive to folks who chose to watch it…
Many thanks Ron, very interesting and entertaining!
Thank you, Dick.
I see you have your lens back. Is the focusing fine, now? What sets do you generally keep you 7DII on?
Thanks April
Yes, the lens seems to be working perfectly now, April. Such a relief!!! That entire episode was much more stressful than it needed to be.
At this point I still haven’t settled on settings for the Mark II, largely because my lens was in the shop for so long that I haven’t had time to work them out.
That was both fascinating and hilarious! Thanks!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Suze.
I’ve always thought ducks were funny…the sounds they make, their raucous “laughter” ,the way they court, the way they stretch their necks out and zoom in for the strike, the way they walk…especially when they step on their own feet. This one is a champ…I especially get a kick out of the swept back toupee, a real, suave “dude”…(that’s pronounced, “Soo-wahv-vay”)
Ducks ARE funny, for exactly the reasons you mention, Patty. Loved your pronunciation of “suave”…
Your pronunciation of suave is perfect for this duck. My sister taught me that the “correct” pronunciation of the word was “swave”… (as in swave and de-boner). 🙂
Big smile, Susan…
Delightful! I feel so lucky to live in a time where I can observe bird behavior even in the dead of winter, ensconced in my house… Thanks, Ron.
Thanks very much, Alison.
Absolutely LOVE True Facts. 😀 Fun and funny. The feather on her bill really is charming and I can’t even say why. 😀
“The feather on her bill really is charming and I can’t even say why.”
My reaction exactly, Arwen. Thank you.
Interesting Ron. The video showing the male Ruddy Duck draping vegetation over its back is very strange. I hope to be lucky enough to see them doing their courtship displays someday. Thank you for the education and exposure to this blue billed beauty.
Thanks, Ed. After doing this post one of my photography goals this spring will be to capture some of this breeding behavior in pixels. In the past I’ve come close a couple of times but no cigar…