Summary

The article discusses the behavior of a mandarin duck named Duckie, observed at a lake in West Yorkshire, and challenges the perception of it being a bully based on its natural communicative "beaking" behavior.

Abstract

The author of the article encounters a mandarin duck, Duckie, in West Yorkshire, England, and initially perceives its behavior as aggressive. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Duckie's actions, such as beaking other ducks, are a form of communication rather than aggression. The article compares the mandarin duck's population in the UK to other species and notes that despite its decreasing numbers, it is not at risk of extinction. The author reflects on the natural interactions among birds and draws parallels to human social behavior, emphasizing the importance of context in understanding actions as non-aggressive. The piece concludes by advocating for a similar understanding and acceptance of benign social interactions among humans.

Opinions

The author initially mistakes Duckie's beaking for biting, a common misunderstanding of bird behavior.
The article suggests that birds, like humans, have their own ways of communicating and interacting socially, which should not be misinterpreted as aggression.
The author implies that societal concerns about physical contact, such as touching or hugging, may lead to overinterpretation of benign actions as bullying or assault.
The author expresses a hope for a world where both birds and humans can interact without the fear of being misunderstood or labeled as bullies.
The piece encourages readers to consider the context of actions, whether in the animal kingdom or human society, to avoid jumping to conclusions about aggression or bullying.

Is This Mandarin Duck A Bully?

Dainty in size, dishy in looks, but is Duckie also a naughty bird?

Duckie, the mandarin duck, stands out amongst the other waterfowl. Photo credit to the author.

Mandarin ducks are not exactly endangered.

Birdlife International, in its last assessment, estimated the number of mandarin ducks worldwide as between 65,000 to 66,000.

This figure includes the estimated number of the mandarin duck population in the UK which is around 7,000 birds.

As data suggests, this wildlife creature which is regarded as the most beautiful duck in the world is not at risk of being extinct.

But while its population trend is decreasing, the mandarin duck is in the category of “least concern” in the list of threatened species.

Ducks in the UK

Despite these big-sounding numbers, mandarin ducks are not seen everywhere in the UK.

Compared to the mallards or the tufted ducks whose populations are 710,000 birds and 110,000 birds respectively, the mandarin ducks are still infrequently spotted, if at all.

The above will explain my fascination when I first caught sight of this mandarin duck, whom I nicknamed Duckie, at a lake in West Yorkshire in England.

After recording several short video clips featuring Duckie, I noted with dismay that this little beauty has a nasty side to it.

Initially, I thought that Duckie was biting its mates.

On closer look at the video clips I took, I realised I was mistaken.

Duckie with beak open, just about to “beak” a mallard. Photo credit to the author.

Duckie was beaking the other ducks, not biting.

Beaking is how birds communicate with each other. It is how they try to make a point.

Biting on the other hand, especially incessantly, is how birds show aggression towards other birds and also to humans.

So, is this pretty and petite mandarin duck also a bully?

Upon viewing the other video clips I took, it became plain to me that the other waterfowls also beaked, nudged and shoved Duckie.

There was no biting at all. (Birds do not have teeth anyway).

It was natural to them.

No aggression that I have witnessed.

In life, the same also applies. We lightly tap or gently touch the arm of another when calling for his/her attention.

We do high-fives. We hug. We kiss. No malice at all. Just jolly reactions. All done in exultation.

Except people nowadays are constrained to do the above — lest the toucher or the hugger be accused of assault or bullying.

In Duckie’s little water world, we can hope that no waterfowl would quack and cry “bully” when another bird beaks or nudges it to give way towards the feed or the water.

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Much thanks again to @Reciprocal’s Sahil Patel, Yana Bostongirl and of course, to Dr. Preeti Singh for your heartfelt support to writers like me to this wonderful publication.

Watch how Duckie stares intently at a mallard before beaking it. Not a bully but perhaps just a tad naughty.😁