Friday, January 16, 2009

Duck Convention

For the past few days, since the real cold set in, there's been a growing number of mallards on the west bank of the Little Ark. They keep busy, too, bathing and mating. Yes, they're mating already. The Great Horned Owls are busy with that business as well. At least the hooting is continuing later in the morning, so I believe they're getting together, and that's prior to their scheduled February romances. The owls are great ones for celebrating St. Valentine's Day.

1 comment:

Dalesings said...

Convention?, he asked, tongue-firmly-in-cheek.

Here's what Ducks Unlimited Canada has to report:

"There are several different terms used to refer to a group of ducks. Mostly, it depends on what species of ducks are in the group. Paddling, skiff, raft, team and dopping are just some of the terms used.

"It also depends on whether the group is on the ground or in flight. For example, a group of mallard ducks on the ground is call a “sord”, but when in flight, it is called a “flock” (as are all ducks in flight)."

While WikiAnswers has the following:

"A group of ducks is called a badelynge, bunch, brace, flock, paddling, raft or team."

Given the variety of terms, this must mean I've provided you with a-sord-ed answers. (Sorry.)