Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

While on my usual trek through the marsh I came onto an observation platform, on the south and heard a ruckus. At first I thought a Raccoon had gotten into a fight or some predator was in the process of gathering it's lunch. When I looked over the railing I could see the Cattails whipping back and forth, violently. There was sound coming from there as well but nothing I recognized. It was eerie to say the least. There would be a few seconds of silence and then it would start all over again.
I pointed my camera in the general direction hoping I would see what was happening and be able to record it. When it finally came into view I was stunned. There was only one animal doing all of this. How she behaved was like nothing I'd ever witnessed.
It was a Blue-winged Teal hen and she was clearly bonkers.
The first image is the calmest of all the pictures I took and shows a bird in a position that we are familiar with.
The next one is also of a position we are used to and most often seen when a duck takes a bath and then rises to shake off water droplets.
But it was after this display that the shenanigans would start. The Teal would race at break neck speed through the reeds until she hit something that would stop her in her tracks.
If she did it once she did it twenty times. Each time more violently than the time before. There was nothing chasing her. Even the Geese and Swans, who were a long ways off, all had their heads turned in her direction. She came within fifteen of where I was and never gave me a look.
Then came the strangest action of all.
In the following picture take a look at the narrow clear channel in front of the Teal, where it separates the Duckweed. The channel is in front because she's going backwards. She wasn't good at it but she did manage it. She even managed a bow wake on her tail.
She repeated this until the hen eventually disappeared into the Cattails where I could no longer see her.
I have no idea how long she carried on but it was an extended period of time.
I phoned my good friend Harvey that night and explained the whole bizarre event. He came back with a very plausible explanation. He said that if people were born with mental deficiencies then why couldn't birds be born with the same maladies.
The man may have something there.
Have a look at the following set of four.
I hope you find this as intriguing as I did.

Rich1 Loc: Northern Nevada

Very interesting story and beautiful pictures. You need to send these to the Ornithology Department at Princeton. I bet they would like to hear about this. You may have discovered something new! If not, they will be able to explain it. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Can't imagine that a "mentally deficient" animal would survive to adulthood. Wonder if something/someone was clamped onto its underside where you couldn't see - or some other injury.

angler Loc: StHelens England

Great shots and a strange story Joe.Iused to do a lot of fishing and to be honest i found that most ducks used to act very erratic especially at mating time.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

Great shots. But this brings a whole new meaning to the term Bird Brain. As always the downloads are amazing.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Intriguing story and captures are well done as usual. Linda from Maine's thoughts are provoking...I hope nothing was hurting her.
I have done similar action when attempting computer navigation but I don't see a lap top in her vicinity.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thank you Rich. I'm linked with the Ornithology Department at Cornell. I'll forward this to them.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

I agree Linda. I think it's a lot more simple than the way I described it. It could be as simple as a bloodsucker being attached and the bird wants to dislodge it.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Good observation Jim. They do indeed act strangely during mating season but always when the opposite sex is present. That wasn't the case this time.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

I represent that remark, Larry. Oh did you mean the duck?

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

You swim backwards when things go wrong on your computer? And how often do you speed through the reeds only to smash head first into a stump? Just who is our Carlysue? :-D
You've made my day again. :thumbup:

John_Central_FL Loc: Orlando, FL

Interesting experience to watch I am sure. Nice captures of the events as they were unfolding.

Reed123 Loc: Henderson,Texas

Great shots.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Interesting behavior well captured Joe.

nani Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ - USA

Great shots! When I was a docent at the Seaport museum my post was near the creek and there were many, many turtles, and large ones! Talk here among the locals is that some species are dwindling in the creek as the turtles are pulling the young birds down while they are swimming along. Could she be defending herself from a turtle? Especially the one where she is looking down! Not being a "local" here I have to believe what the locals tell me!