Why did my duck "Hee Haw"?

[lauren3321]

I have a young mallard drake. He lives with my chickens. This morning I heard him hee haw, like a donkey but I wasn't sure that I really actually heard it so I just went on my routine. But then I saw him arch his neck and do it again. Has anyone ever heard of this? He is a quirky little duck but I just want to make sure it isn't a cough or something serious. I will try to get it on video if I can. Anyone?

 

[Blondiega1]

Identity crisis?

 

[clbarley]

He is probably trying to crow like a chicken lol

 

[fowl farm]

Lol, my Mallard drake does it too! It's startling, isn't it? I still haven't found out why, but I think it might have to do with the girls. I wonder if it really wins their hearts?

 

[Carcajou]

I have heard my Khaki drake make a similar sound. I likened it to more like a poor imitation of a portion of a American bittern's call.

 

[70%cocoa]

It's probably a courtship display They kind of look like they are trying to get rid of something stuck in their throat, doing that odd neck movement. It's often accompanied by a high pitched whistle and maybe then walking in a circle with their neck stuck out. One of my young drakes does this too. Sounds like your boy just has some romance on his mind