Musk Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted March 6, 2013346 views18 comments

Possibly the world's ugliest duck (bird?). They prefer deeper water where they dive for food. The male's bizarre courting ritual involves a high-pitched sonar like ping that echoes across the water.
There's a bit of movement blur on the chest unfotunately.

1DMkIV 500/f4
ISO 400 f8 1/800

cheers
Rob

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 6, 2013 at 3:56 PM

What can I say - very strange indeed! But, well photographed (as always).

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 6, 2013 at 4:08 PM

Weird looking perhaps-but a terrific capture of courtship behavior. Love the water droplets flying about-well done Rob.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on March 6, 2013 at 4:12 PM

Thanks for a large view of a bird i didn't know existed. Well done all around IMO.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 6, 2013 at 4:17 PM

Rob,

Always enjoy viewing your down under species.

Well done.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 6, 2013 at 6:28 PM

Interesting subject! The chest doesn't bother me on this at all, as you got that great diver's tail and the head is sharp. Does that waddle (or whatever it is) fill with air? Do you have any shots of the mate? Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 6, 2013 at 6:37 PM

Hi Sharon,

The wattle inflates during the display and the female is similar but minus the wattle. I'll post a displaying male soon

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Floyd Hopper on March 6, 2013 at 7:50 PM

Great image. I would like to add this to my "Life List" of birds, but saddly I will have to just enjoy viewing.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 652 Posts, 762 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 6, 2013 at 7:54 PM

Fun image, Rob. The motion blur isn't really noticeable and that throat decoration draws the eye away from it anyhow. Nice eye contact and I like the position of the tail.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 6, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Might get there one of these days; my son and his family live in Sydney.Truly ugly, a rival for the Muscovy duck, for sure. A well taken image, with a good low angle and fine detail. Love the water drops flying out behind!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 7, 2013 at 1:25 AM

Wonderful shot Rob. Interesting to read about the courting ritual. I like the low perspective with the water and background colors matching plus the black wattle really adds to the image, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 7, 2013 at 1:57 PM

What an odd character. Can't wait to see the display shot, Rob.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 7, 2013 at 3:18 PM

Thanks! Looking forward to the next one! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on March 9, 2013 at 9:56 AM

Everything is excellent in this shot. Very good!

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 9, 2013 at 6:55 PM

Great view of a remarkable species.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 10, 2013 at 1:16 PM

Oh, sweet shot Rob. What a great duck species. Not ugly at all to a duck guy like me. Quite the contrary; a super looking bird. Very nice IQ as always. I would pay a lot to get ops with some of your waterfowl species including this one.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 13, 2013 at 9:36 PM

Hey Rob,
I missed this post for some reason, Real Nice, the colors are outstanding.
Congratulations on the WP

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on March 14, 2013 at 12:26 AM

Sensational shot. The angle of view is superb; love the blue water ripples in lovely contrast to the main color. The focal point and soft surround makes this really special and artistic. Congrats on the WP, Rob.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 15, 2013 at 2:32 PM

unusual and very interesting! congrats on the WP!
sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments