Ruddy ducks - I always enjoy watching the male's courting display.

Male ruddy duck, shot with Nikon Z6iii, 500 mm PF lens, FTZ adapter.

When you see a duck, you expect certain behaviours.  Swimming, dabbling, perhaps diving.  But I still remember the first time I saw a male Ruddy duck do this odd thing with its head and bill.  It was like the poor bird was having a seizure.  Only it did it repeatedly.  I've seen seizures before, and none of them looked anything like that.

Short video of a Ruddy Duck in mating display.

It turns out I was witnessing my very first mating display of the male Ruddy duck.  I took a short video the other day (above) where you can see the display.  However, I found a much better one on YouTube that you can see here.

Sometimes called the bubble display, there is a particular method which the duck uses to create the foam forming in front of its breast.  The bird inflates its neck and proceeds to beat its bill against the inflated organ.  As it does, short-lived bubbles start to form.  This happens as air is forced out from the feathers and into the water.  When the short display is over, the bird jerks its head and tail forward, producing a low-frequency "belch".  I have never heard it myself, but you can hear it in the YouTube video I made a link to.

It is very comical.  The bright blue bill and erect tail feathers all add to the curious display.  I always enjoy catching the act.  Who knew a duck could be so much fun?

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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