duck intelligence

[duckophile1998]

i was reading an article online that ducklings are unique in that they can imprint on any species instead of just ducks, and that this required basic abstract reasoning to determine that a human is taking care of them.

i have noticed that adult ducks like to watch TV. i sometimes bring in my ducks into the living room and i sit down with a towel and pet my ducks.

i have noticed that they will vocalize and respond to things that happen on TV. i have noticed they usually respond more to cartoons. i read that ducks have good color vision. they also have empathy and don't like violence.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

That is super interesting!

 

[BornToQuack]

I'm pretty sure I read the same article regarding ducklings having basic abstract reasoning. Absolutely fascinating! My only question was: how is it different from kittens or puppies bonding with human caregivers?

As for colors, yes, ducks have incredible vision and can see UV light. This article goes into pretty good detail regarding how ducks see the world: https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/m...w-ducks-see-science-behind-waterfowl-eyesight

I'm not a huge fan of the fact the article above was written to help hunters kill ducks, but the information provided is amazing. For example, I never knew juvenile drakes have a different UV signature on their pintail than adult drakes do!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

i was reading an article online that ducklings are unique in that they can imprint on any species instead of just ducks, and that this required basic abstract reasoning to determine that a human is taking care of them.

i have noticed that adult ducks like to watch TV. i sometimes bring in my ducks into the living room and i sit down with a towel and pet my ducks.

i have noticed that they will vocalize and respond to things that happen on TV. i have noticed they usually respond more to cartoons. i read that ducks have good color vision. they also have empathy and don't like violence.

All my grown up ducks have showed their own personality: Donald the large drake (sadly he is gone) was a bully, but guarded the flock to the end (i assume). Limpy, my second drake (with a limp) took over the guarding part immediately when Donald disappeared, but he keeps to calm down everybody. Then there's Nona (No-Name) Duck: Whenever i am doing something outside, she is watching me. When i take a break she cautiously approaches, looks at what i have done in every possible angle, making soft quack-comments and when she likes it, she shouts Quack-Waa-Wack and leaves. I call her my Duck Project Manager.
Our ducks have learned very fast from whom they get their meal-worms easier (my wife!) and who to approach (me!) if they want something to be done, like cleaning the pool or filling up their water.
They know that those humming huge metal birds (C130, National Guard) pose no danger, but if a hawk appears in the sky they run inside.
My Spring Ducklings also have started to show different personalities, some like to be petted, some not, one of them is an escape artist. They have learned that that yellow ball-thing contains meal-worms as a snack and they fall out if the ball is moved around - duckling-soccer was born.
They don't have names yet, but i'm sure once i can set them loose and observe their behavior they will be named quickly.
I think Ducks are as intelligent as a cat, but due to their position in nature's food-chain are more cautious and skiddish.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I'm pretty sure I read the same article regarding ducklings having basic abstract reasoning. Absolutely fascinating! My only question was: how is it different from kittens or puppies bonding with human caregivers?

As for colors, yes, ducks have incredible vision and can see UV light. This article goes into pretty good detail regarding how ducks see the world: https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/m...w-ducks-see-science-behind-waterfowl-eyesight

I'm not a huge fan of the fact the article above was written to help hunters kill ducks, but the information provided is amazing. For example, I never knew juvenile drakes have a different UV signature on their pintail than adult drakes do!

Did anybody found something about a duck's ability to smell or taste?
My grown-up ducks don't really like to eat salad unless i sprinkle a lot of dried hot chillie peppers on it. Then suddenly the salad gets devoured.

 

[Jpat]

I never shared this before i thaught people would think iam cruel but i put tobasco on lettuce and my drake ate it with zero affect to him. I added more and he didnt even notice

Makes me wonder how their taste works. I think its based on color and texture and sustenence gained rather than sweet salty or sour

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I never shared this before i thaught people would think iam cruel but i put tobasco on lettuce and my drake ate it with zero affect to him. I added more and he didnt even notice

Makes me wonder how their taste works. I think its based on color and texture and sustenence gained rather than sweet salty or sour

You are not cruel at all! On the contrary! When i painted my duckling's outside house, i mixed Capsaicin into the paint. Mammals do feel the burning effect of that, birds don't, so i speculate the racoon won't chew through the wood.
The pepper plants have developed that mechanism to avoid having their fruits eaten by mammals (i.e. rabbits) in which digestive tract the seeds will be destroyed. Birds don't feel any effect of Capsaicin and the pepper seeds pass through their digestive track unharmed. When pooped out, the seed receives an additional portion of fertilizer and the seeds are being distributed to greater distances because birds usually fly wheras rabbits do not.
My ducks like everything that contains peppers, tomato and curcuma (curry!). But they hate garlic! Everything sweet they like too. When Limpy was sick last year, i added dextrose to his drinking water, boy did he gulped it down!
So i'm not sure how and if taste and smell work together, and yes texture is important too: My Duckies love those long yellow "worms" (french fries) but mashed potatoes - Näh! Eat yourself humon!
It's complicated…

 

[BornToQuack]

No doubt our girls have different personalities!

Phoebe is the friendliest/boldest. She's always the first to approach when they come running to me, will sometimes lay her bill on my knee to let me pet her (I kneel down as they greet me), and is the first to admire/approve new things.

Freckles always approaches next, but isn't too keen on being touched. She's the chatterbox of the group, and always comes running up with head bobs and LOTS to say! I'm not sure if she's chewing me out for wandering away from the flock, getting me caught up on the latest happenings, or begging for treats. Could be a combination of all three.

Ash is the shy one. She'll come right up to me, but is always a bit standoffish around new people and very skeptical of new items in the backyard (they free range).

 

[PaulX]

I never shared this before i thaught people would think iam cruel but i put tobasco on lettuce and my drake ate it with zero affect to him. I added more and he didnt even notice.

me : misread that as tobacco and was wondering how on earth it had no effect.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

me : misread that as tobacco and was wondering how on earth it had no effect.