How intelligent are Ducks?

[paddyhasneeds]

Bear with me on this one..

Driving back through town earlier and a pair of Ducks waddled out from a driveway to the edge of the kerb.

I expected them to keep going so slowed to a stop, the Ducks however stopped at the kerb until traffic coming in the other direction also stopped - at which point they crossed the road.

Cats, Squirrels and small children don't seem to obey the green cross code so I'm still finding it a bit surreal that the Ducks appeared to do a risk assessment, stop and wait for a clear crossing?!

[anonymous-user]

I think the adults are ok

[Eric Mc]

Not very

[Red Kite]

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

[bimsb6]

Red Kite said:

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

the one in front has the map .

[HOGEPH]

Eric Mc said:

Not very


]

Well Donald Duck walks around with no pants on, so he can't be that smart.

[grumbledoak]

Red Kite said:

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

I've seen London pigeons use the crossings, too. Not pressing the button, obviously.

Red Kite said:

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

It is easier for the following birds to fly in a certain position relative to the one in front. Something to do with turbulence, but I'm no expert.

[central]

Red Kite said:

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

Hooning.

[Eric Mc]

They ride the wing tip vortex of the bird in front. Each successive bird get a slightly better amount of lift for less effort. After a while, the bird at the front drops back to allow another one up front to take over.

[Red Kite]

Eric Mc said:

They ride the wing tip vortex of the bird in front. Each successive bird get a slightly better amount of lift for less effort. After a while, the bird at the front drops back to allow another one up front to take over.

Thats ingenious. Why do they make such a racket, whilst they are at it?

[ShadownINja]

Well, I'll let you make up your own mind. I've tried training the local ducks to bathe in hoisin sauce, roll in chopped spring onions and cucumber then use a pancake as a makeshift sleeping bag but they're having none of it.

[Red Kite]

ShadownINja said:

Well, I'll let you make up your own mind. I've tried training the local ducks to bathe in hoisin sauce, roll in chopped spring onions and cucumber then use a pancake as a makeshift sleeping bag but they're having none of it.

[Cpn Jack Spanner]

Red Kite said:

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

One of their ancestors used to watch Lancasters in that formation, and thought it looked really cool.

[Red Kite]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

aawwww

[thinfourth2]

Intelligence Who cares

But they are damn tasty

[groucho]

paddyhasneeds said:

Bear with me on this one..

Driving back through town earlier and a pair of Ducks waddled out from a driveway to the edge of the kerb.

I expected them to keep going so slowed to a stop, the Ducks however stopped at the kerb until traffic coming in the other direction also stopped - at which point they crossed the road.

Cats, Squirrels and small children don't seem to obey the green cross code so I'm still finding it a bit surreal that the Ducks appeared to do a risk assessment, stop and wait for a clear crossing?!

Intelligent? Not very. Anceriformes near one end and Corvidae at the end of the other.

[Eric Mc]

Cpn Jack Spanner said:

Red Kite said:

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

One of their ancestors used to watch Lancasters in that formation, and thought it looked really cool.

Plausable, but highly unlikely. The RAF abandoned the standard "V" (called a Vic) formation early in WW2 as it rendered aircraft vulnerable to attack. It was also difficult and tiring for pilots to maintain tight Vic formations for long periods.

It just shows that what is easy for ducks and geese is quite difficult for humans.

[Simpo Two]

The V formation allows the following ducks/birds to save energy by slipstreaming. Every so often the leader drops back and is replaced - not unlike pursuit cycling. Except without bicycles of course.

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 29th March 19:05

[groucho]

Eric Mc said:

Cpn Jack Spanner said:

Red Kite said:

Aren't there some places where they use zebra crossings?

and does anybody know why / how they fly in that big V formation?

One of their ancestors used to watch Lancasters in that formation, and thought it looked really cool.

Plausable, but highly unlikely. The RAF abandoned the standard "V" (called a Vic) formation early in WW2 as it rendered aircraft vulnerable to attack. It was also difficult and tiring for pilots to maintain tight Vic formations for long periods.

It just shows that what is easy for ducks and geese is quite difficult for humans.

Flying, they're great at that.

[groucho]

Another question: Which is your favourite duck? Mine is a Garganey.