Fudgy doing half somersault while swimming

[sowNreap]

I'm sure others have seen ducks do this but as new duck parent this is my first time. Makes me laugh every time I see it.

Also, does anyone know why ducks zoom fast underwater? It's kind of hard to see in this video. It's funny also because they do that then zoom right out of the pool looking like those penguins that propel themselves out of the water onto an ice floe. They then run around for couple seconds flapping wings and then zoom right back to the pool. Also, it seems the drakes feel more macho after doing it. Sometimes chasing or nipping at another drake before heading back to the pool.


I know I need a bigger pool. The fountain takes up space but it was made for the wild birds first.

 

[sourland]

The 'zooms' are practice for escape from aerial predators.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Love the fountain set up. I've not seen my muscovies do somersaults, but I have seen the runners. That's pretty cute.
I know Sourland's answer is correct, but I like to think they are also very excited about the fresh pool water.

 

[sowNreap]

The 'zooms' are practice for escape from aerial predators.

Ah that makes sense. It fun to watch. I wish they had bigger pool to zoom around in. Maybe next year.

Love the fountain set up.

Thanks. I had to put the pool under the fountain because the birds & summer heat would empty all the water in the fountain so I was having to fill it about 3-4 times a day. It was not only wasting water but it was hassle to fill it so many times a day. So put the pool under the fountain to catch the water splashed out & used small pump to pump it back up to the fountain. Small birds like shallow fountain. Bigger birds will use the pool. And of course I now have ducks that love the pool though it seems I need an even bigger one now. lol

Plus the water splashing over the fountain helped keep the mosquito's from using the pool as a breeding ground.

Another nice side effect is the moving water helps keep the fountain from freezing as quickly unless it's really cold for several days which does happen sometimes. So I'm able to leave fountain running all year.

 

[Isadora]

Watching ducks swim always cheers me up.

 

[sowNreap]

Watching ducks swim always cheers me up.

Not only do they cheer me up, make me laugh & just pretty much start the day off right, they're great for losing weight. Several times a day I walk all over the yard with them as they forage, plus changing their water, mucking the bedroom & cleaning the pool I get a LOT of exercise. Think I've lost 20 lbs since I adopted my ducks.