Some might say that a duck has no language, and intellectually we all know this to be true. However, ducks do communicate with one another and with their people as well. Communication takes a little time and effort but it does happen once association occurs. If you spend enough time with your flock, you begin to understand them and they begin to understand you.
For example: Head bobbing. This is a device used by both males and females while engaging in the mating ritual. But, it is also used to say, “please?” If a duck sees you coming with a handful of nice, green, juicy lettuce, she will probably do some neck twisting and head bobbing, to “ask” for the treat. Your job is to be alert and offer it quickly before she dies of lettuce desire.
Also, ducks say Grace before they drink water. To a duck, water is vastly more important than food, and they show their gratitude in a very special way. I call it “saying Grace.” What they do is approach the container of water, then bow low to the ground a couple times before drinking it. It doesn’t matter how thirsty they are, they always perform this little ritual, every single time.
Ducks have a sense of humor, and they absolutely delight in “goosing” another bird. This involves creeping up behind the intended victim, and taking a good, sturdy bite out of that bird’s tail feathers. The resultant squawk and bird launching is sufficient to make the little prankster’s tail wiggle. Yes, ducks wag their tails when they’re happy or pleased, just like a dog or cat.
When a duck looks at you, quacks loudly and wiggles all over, she is happy to see you. This usually occurs when you are carrying a bucket-full of boiled eggs, or lettuce, or cucumbers. They also do it when you walk into their yard bearing a shovel to dig some worms. Ducks love worms and they will stand on top of your shovel while you’re using it, just to be the first one to spot the worm. Usually a single worm will get divided between three or four ducks at once. Worms hate ducks.
Ducks are drawn to mud like a fly to a swatter. They just adore mud-mucking and will usually do this little foot stomping ritual while playing in the mud. They get into the sloppiest section of mud they can find, and rapidly stomp up and down in it. I call it the stompy-dance. After they do the dance, they poke their bills into the same spot and root around for a while, then they stomp for a while, then do more rooting. I have no clue what they are accomplishing by doing this, but they seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of it, and so do we just watching them do it.
A duck will respond to you when you call it by name. Not like a dog would perhaps, more like the way a cat would react, a bit distant and aloof, but interested none-the-less. They will tilt their heads so they are looking at you out of only one eye, and then if they like what they see, (lettuce) they will do the head bob and body wiggle. You are to respond accordingly. (Offer the lettuce)
Just remember the advice I have given you, and you and your ducks will get along just fine. Oh, and by the way, don’t forget the lettuce.
