Why is our duck hunching over like this

[yarrowhouse]

Our male jumbo pekin, unknown age as he was a rescue, has lately been doing this maneuver of hunching then stretching upwards. Any ideas why, anything we should be concerned about?

Note at the end of the video he stumbles, he is bow-legged and pigeon-toed. He often stumbles. It may not be related to the hunching thing.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/y6WhcAnjZuWfXw1J8

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I have never seen that before. It almost looks like he is trying to get a breath?!

 

[ruthhope]

Our male jumbo pekin, unknown age as he was a rescue, has lately been doing this maneuver of hunching then stretching upwards. Any ideas why, anything we should be concerned about?

Note at the end of the video he stumbles, he is bow-legged and pigeon-toed. He often stumbles. It may not be related to the hunching thing.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/y6WhcAnjZuWfXw1J8

Actually, it seems to be the first part of a not an uncommon maneuver for pekin drakes. However, most go on to slightly extend their necks and to make a "belching" sound. I think your boy is perhaps adjusting his crop.

 

[yarrowhouse]

Thanks for your comments!

 

[Goosebaby]

I think he might be trying to boom. Drakes do this sort of display where they stretch their head low, then stretch back up and then make a booming or grunting sound. It’s sort of like the “Bend and Snap” followed by a low BOOM and then sometimes darting around and displaying.
My pekin drakes never really did it, I think I may have seen Olaf attempt it maybe twice and not knowing what it was I thought there was something seriously wrong with him, but now having drakes of other breeds that pull it off better I now know what it is.

 

[Goosebaby]

Here’s what it looks like in wild mallards