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Courtship dance of the Musk Duck

on 23rd June 2014

“Musk Duck (Bizura lobata) is the only living member of its genus. It possesses stiff-tailed duck (Oxyura sp.) characteristics and is easily identified by its body floating very low in the water. The ducks are huge in size, ~50cm to 73 cm. The legs are set far back on the body for swimming.

“Males and females look alike except for the conspicuous lobe of skin under the bill of a breeding drake. The males emit a musk odour and the lobe of skin under the bill increases in size during the breeding season. Lek mating is observed in these ducks. The males are promiscuous and display themselves for long periods of time. The attached clip shows part of the exhibitionism of a drake filmed at Lake Monger, Perth, West Australia.

“The male kicks water sprays with its feet and emits ‘plonk’, ‘ker-plonk’ and ‘quinck’ sounds at the same time. The tail spreads out, and it is clear why it is known as a stiff-tailed duck. The tail is pressed against its back, the neck curved in a U-shape and the beak points upwards.

“The drake then whistles ‘kok-chwee’ repeatedly while continuing with its kicking. The whistling was loud and seemed to have a ventriloquist effect. We were fooled into thinking the whistling was made by little birds sitting on branches above us. Individuals of its kind swim near it, look on and then leave. The females are sizing him up. His display went on for half an hour.

“The females do not display and are known to give their little ones rides on the back.”

Teo Lee Wei & K
Singapore
5th June 2014

Note: Video clip by Teo Lee Wei & K; images of the male Musk Duck by Dr Eric Tan.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. Very interesting, especially the part about it being the “only living member of its genus”. Had never heard of this duck before and am stunned to learn it’s so big. That’s almost the size of a swan!

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