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The duck language is specific to what the poultry bird is trying to convey to other members of the flock.įor instance, ducks will make a specific sound when warning others about a looming threat from a potential predator.
DUCK SOUNDS SERIES
In addition to the quacking sounds ducks also honk (especially the ladies of many breeds) and make a series of other tell-tale noises. Some duck breeds, especially wild ones, make a whistling and/or raspy sounding quack so they can communicate more quietly and attract less attention from predators. Typically, although it can vary by breed, both male and female ducks quack loudly at first and then more quietly as their string of conversation continues. While ducks do not mate for life, they can be seasonally monogamous. If you hear a duck hen quacking or honking repeatedly in a high pitched tone, she could be calling her mate or alerting him to her whereabouts.Ī hen can also use quacking or honking to alert other females in the flock that she has claimed a drake for her mate.
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Sometimes they quack to call their ducklings and other times when they are in the process of laying an egg. Quackingĭuck hens quack for a broad range of reasons.
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Males, as they mature, the high pitched sound a duckling makes will give way to the deeper sound associated with their breed and sex. Ducklings have an evolving vocal pattern.Ī female duck can sound bossy or grumpy even when she is happy. Mature male ducks usually produce a deeper and more rapid sound than mature females. It will not matter if you purchased day old ducklings from a breeder or hatched your own either inside of an incubator or via a momma hen, all adorable tiny ducklings will have the same instinctive verbal and non-verbal language and actions once they finish poking their well out of a shell. Adamant free-ranging ducks have been known to show up on a keeper’s doorstep calling them out to tend to the chore. It will not take long before you begin to get the gist of what the duck flock wants though, especially if you are late to the coop at feeding time. A hen usually takes a more demanding and higher tone when communicating with her ducklings and other flock members.Īlthough we will never be sure exactly what one duck is saying to another, the members of the flock seem to easily understand each verbal and non-verbal cue. Both drakes (male ducks) and hen (female ducks) typically develop vocal “speech” patterns that sound unique enough a keeper can easily differentiate between the two.ĭrakes generally communicate verbally in a lower tone and in a more rapid manner.
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