RSPB Spotlight Ducks and Geese by Marianne Taylor

Author:Marianne Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472971661
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

The vivid speculum markings found in many ducks – as seen on this female Mallard – can help them recognise one another.

Maintaining flock cohesion while flying fast is a challenge, but species-specific calls and markings help the birds keep track of each other.

Visual signals can also help with flock coherence. Most ducks and geese will form mixed flocks in winter, but by preference associate most often with their own species. Markings like the coloured wing-patches (speculums) found on both sexes in many duck species help them to recognise each other.

In winter, communal courtship displays take place within duck flocks. This social activity is often triggered by a female approaching males on the water, with a flattened body posture and frequent head-bobbing. The males respond by circling her with heads and tails raised, and performing plumage-shaking actions. It is only later that the female and her chosen mate will conduct courtship behaviours away from the group.

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