Duck Personalities

The following is what I have observed among the ducks I know who live Town Lake, Austin, Texas.

Like humans, ducks have distinct personalities:

Marvin Goose:  Marvin leads a clan of ducks.  He has several distinct honks: a honk for food-alert!, another for calling his clan, another for eating, another for Feed Me!, and another for Everything's Cool, while he stands guard, allowing his clan members to sleep.  Marvin usually bites me once a day.  Once he's gotten a good nip and established his authority, he's fine.   He chases humans who step into his territory while he's protecting his clan.   He's very fatherly and nurturing with his clan; he does his best to keep the peace.   Don't interfere with his work, however; you'll get bitten.  Marvin Goose is bold, feisty, sometimes ill-mannered, moody, protective, and kind.

Genevieve:  (Muscovy: iridescent with one black spot on her chest)  Genevieve used to only visit Auditorium Shores for feeding and then fly back to her area of the lake.  In early May, 1999, however, she began spending most of her time at Auditorium Shores.  Genevieve recognizes and trusts me.  She is very sweet, gentle, and makes a soft, cute noise.  She had an injured leg when I came back from my Louisiana trip, and she couldn't walk.  She appears to be better now, but I'm not sure how well she is flying.  Genevieve usually hangs out alone, but in May, began to hang out with Sterling and sometimes near Marvin's Clan.

Samuel:  (Muscovy: grey with grey spots on chest)  Samuel hangs out alone and is bold when he needs to be.  He visits the Auditorium Shores area for feeding and leaves when he's finished munching and preening.  Samuel is very sweet and a little shy with me.  He also recognizes me and has begun to step a little closer to me.

Wilbur and Wilma:  (White Domestic Duck and Mallard) This pair used to hang out quietly alone.  The White Domestic Duck defected from Marvin's Clan to hang out with the teeny tiny Mallard, who since has grown up.  The pair has gotten bolder recently and in early May began to hang out with Marvin's Clan.

Sterling and Serah:  (two male blond ducks -- can't figure out what kind!)  Sterling has a white mane and white collar, differentiating him from Serah.  These two were the security guards of Marvin's Clan, but in late April became estranged from the clan when a male white domestic duck won security rights.  Sterling fell in love with Genevieve (the Muscovy!) and in May began hanging out with her.  Serah tolerates Genevieve since he's Sterling's best friend, but he'd prefer that she not hang out with them.

TinkerToy:  TinkerToy is a tiny male Mallard.  He is quite shy, and, unfortunately, is chased by all the other ducks. Tinker Toy hangs out alone, but resides near Auditorium Shores.

Bert and Ernie: Bert is a white domestic duck and Ernie is a beautiful male Mallard mix.  Bert and Ernie are new members of Marvin's Clan.  Bert is always hungry; Ernie eats like a bird, however.  Bert quacks loudly and is usually the last to leave me.  Ernie stands back and waits patiently for his best buddy to finish eating.

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