Tapper, one of our two Muscovy ducks, has two perfectly good legs but, for some reason, he often prefers to tuck one leg up and stand on the other one. He then does a pirouetty move and, eventually, sticks the tucked-up leg straight out backwards, at a right-angle to his body, to perfectly to align it with his tail feathers. In the photo below you can just see his one ‘foot’ tucked up.
Tapper can do this ‘duck dance’ for ages and ages. His balance is incredible and, when he does this, he doesn’t seem like the Tapper who usually waddles around quite clumsily. Weird! Here he is with that left foot tucked right into his wings.
Whilst Tapper was doing yet another one of his dances the other afternoon, I stood opposite him and tried to stand on one foot for as long as he could. I was pretty good, but, when it came to the pirouette, I kind of fell over. Well actually I did fall over. Yeah, but at least I don’t waddle!
Duck dancing is for the birds……
jmgoyder 