Captive Musk Duck Mimics Human Speech

Recently a researcher, Carel ten Cate of the Netherlands' Institute of Biology Leiden of Leiden University, found audio from 1987 of an Australian musk duck speaking.

Ripper, the duck says: "You bloody fool!"

Ten Cate stated:

"This came as a big surprise. Because even though the bird was recorded 35 years ago, it remained unnoticed by researchers in the vocal learning field until now. That makes it a very special rediscovery."

Ripper was also recorded making noises mimicking a pony, the cough of a caretaker and a squeaking door.

It is unclear why this particular species of ducks is capable of "vocal learning".


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