Charlie the duck's face at 38 seconds is the best thing you may see today.
June 21, 2012 7:29 AM   Subscribe

Being Chased by a Baby Duck [SLYT]

or perhaps [single link absurdly cute youtube] [via]
posted by quin (66 comments total) 25 users marked this as a favorite
 
I just died.
posted by Chutzler at 7:33 AM on June 21, 2012 [4 favorites]


that shit just imprinted on you yo. Its very life is in your hands.
posted by Think_Long at 7:36 AM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


It is cute and an example of Imprinting.
posted by pdxpogo at 7:36 AM on June 21, 2012


Why is this duckling blue?
posted by DRMacIver at 7:36 AM on June 21, 2012


Predictably enough this spawned a pretty fantastic gif (not mine).
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 7:38 AM on June 21, 2012 [17 favorites]


teehee!
And baby duck can run!
posted by Neekee at 7:38 AM on June 21, 2012


Being chased by a baby duck miniature velociraptor.

*rawr*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:39 AM on June 21, 2012 [19 favorites]


Weirdly the duckling is blue in the video on my screen but yellow in the thumbnails. Youtube bug I guess. Strange.
posted by DRMacIver at 7:40 AM on June 21, 2012


Where's Parry Gripp when you need him?
posted by uncleozzy at 7:41 AM on June 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


Just ran "Peep peep peepeep peep peepeepeep" through Google Translate.


you don't want to know
posted by likeso at 7:42 AM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


God, that duck is *such* a fucking asshole.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:42 AM on June 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


It's yellow in my youtube, DRMacIver. That is weird.
posted by scunning at 7:43 AM on June 21, 2012


Hey! Where are you going? Wait up. No, really. Wait up. C'mon, man. You're freaking me out. Don't go. I need you........
posted by Benny Andajetz at 7:44 AM on June 21, 2012 [4 favorites]


I'm amazed that little duck can move so quackly.
posted by MuffinMan at 7:46 AM on June 21, 2012 [12 favorites]


scunning: Looks like it's a broader problem for me on youtube - ducklings everywhere have turned blue. Vimeo on the other hand is fine. Very strange.
posted by DRMacIver at 7:47 AM on June 21, 2012


Igor the Duclking is pretty good too.
posted by maryr at 7:48 AM on June 21, 2012


uncleozzy: "Where's Parry Gripp when you need him?"

BABY DUCK
BABY DUCK IMPRINTS ON A DUDE
IMPRINTS A DUDE

It's actualy pronounced "dode."
posted by The White Hat at 7:49 AM on June 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


Just ran "Peep peep peepeep peep peepeepeep" through Google Translate.

Moooooooom! Don't run awaaaaaay! Moooooooom! God, you're big? Will I be that big? Why aren't you feeding me? Mooooooom!
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:49 AM on June 21, 2012 [5 favorites]


I think this is adorable, but I'm also pretty sure it's the duck equivalent of a little kid chasing his mother through a parking lot screaming "Mom! Come back! Mom! WHY WON'T YOU LOVE ME?"

I'd probably find that less adorable, I guess it depends on how fuzzy the kid was.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:51 AM on June 21, 2012 [13 favorites]


if he's going to keep running the duck over concrete he's going to need to get it some little rubber booties, lest its feets get chapped.
posted by facetious at 7:53 AM on June 21, 2012




yup
posted by nathancaswell at 8:01 AM on June 21, 2012


That video seriously made me sad, stop tormenting the baby duck by running away from it!
posted by leesh at 8:03 AM on June 21, 2012 [5 favorites]


I think the duck's instinct is just to follow so isn't worried about anyone running away from it. It could either be stressed that it has to run so fast to keep up or really excited to find out where they're going or maybe it just likes running.

Maybe every time I see a line of little ducklings following their mom in a line they are all secretly thinking, "Mom, go faster, we want to RUN!"
posted by VTX at 8:07 AM on June 21, 2012 [5 favorites]


The foot sounds just kill me.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 8:11 AM on June 21, 2012


bicyclefish: This video popped up in the related videos sidebar.

That is all.

sad!

cute!!!

posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:15 AM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


I question the imprinting theory: the dug looks too old to have just hatched, and there's no evidence that the human was present during the critical period. I think that this duck just really wants to follow this human.
posted by rebent at 8:51 AM on June 21, 2012


Yeah, Charlie the duck definitely has imprinted on whoever he's chasing. But I get the impression that he's enjoying running around. The expression on his face at the time mentioned in the post title looks like one of pleasure and excitement. Little kids do pretty much the same thing sometimes - dashing about & making noise just for the fun of it.
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 8:52 AM on June 21, 2012


HEY DUCK. WHAT PART OF "NO" DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

Someone needs to slap that mini-quacker with a harassment lawsuit.
posted by drlith at 9:06 AM on June 21, 2012


Last week I saw him Peking up a skirt.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:08 AM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


(or Pekin. Your choice.)
posted by uncleozzy at 9:09 AM on June 21, 2012


My God, it's full of love.
posted by rahnefan at 9:20 AM on June 21, 2012 [4 favorites]


Where I first saw this posted someone had commented that by imprinting on the guy rather than the duck's mother means the duckling is most likely dead now... sorry if that harshes you fun
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:30 AM on June 21, 2012


Couple years back we called our feed dealer to order some baby duck chow and some baby turkey chow. She paused for a moment before taking the order to ascertain that we weren't going to be raising them in the same pen. Reason being, of course, that the last time they sold duck starter and turkey starter to the same person, he went out to check on them only to find that the ducklings had devoured the turkeys bodily. Give her a chance and that duckling will kill you and everyone you love.

Never turn your back on a duckling, ever.
posted by stet at 9:31 AM on June 21, 2012 [11 favorites]


Man, the whole time I was just panicking, "DON'T STEP ON HIM, DEAR GOD! ACK HE'S SO CLOSE TO HIS FEET!"

This is very unlike me. Adopting an African Grey has substantially lowered my apathy levels.
posted by zephyr_words at 9:32 AM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


fearfulsymmetry: In the hopes of unharshing your mellow, the general appearance of the duckling as well as the barn in the background suggest that we are probably looking at a domesticated duck who was human-imprinted on purpose. If she's a layer or pest-control duck, she's looking at a long, comfortable life.
posted by stet at 9:39 AM on June 21, 2012 [5 favorites]


I have one cat, Dusty, who is sometimes very not cat-like -- desperate for love and attention in a way that I can only describe as dog-like (fortunately, Dusty greets me at the door EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. no matter what time I come home from work, so the dog-like behavior works both ways)

And we have a joke that our other cat, Lucinda -- who, though very skittish manages to be that way in a very regal manner so it more often comes off as standoffish -- gives Dusty lectures behind our back about how she's ruining their rep by being so needy.

Now I can't help but imagining adopting Charlie the duckling, and Lucinda just telling her to stop being so pathetic.

Though after a little thought, it is just as easy to imagine Dusty or Lucinda trying to eat Charlie instead.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:45 AM on June 21, 2012


If she's a layer or pest-control duck ....

I flashed on an image of that duckling in a teeny-tiny Orkin uniform with a miniature pesticide canister strapped to its back. Cutegasm.
posted by benito.strauss at 9:53 AM on June 21, 2012 [10 favorites]


I found this video a few days ago via this other one, which just kills me.
posted by mykescipark at 9:56 AM on June 21, 2012


You are not my mother. You are a snort.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:57 AM on June 21, 2012 [7 favorites]


Yeah that duckling is all "where we goin? where we goin? where we goin?" I hope there's a really fun swim at the end of their walk. And some delicious peas tossed into the water, to dive after. That's duckling Disneyland right there.

I hope you'll indulge me a few self links in the sake of cuteness. I raise ducks, and when they're very young, they live in my studio for a few days until they're big enough to go outside. My Quaker Parrot Calloway also lives in the studio. The latest batch of babies moved outside 3 days ago. When I played the Igor duckling video above, Calloway heard the peeping and started flock-calling to his babies - he misses them. but oh god the poop

also gosling

posted by Lou Stuells at 9:59 AM on June 21, 2012 [9 favorites]


I've linked to this video before, but it seems pertinent here.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:12 AM on June 21, 2012


This is a perfect antidote to the abused bus monitor post ; I needed it.
posted by Fig at 10:42 AM on June 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


jamaro: bring paper towels.
posted by Lou Stuells at 11:11 AM on June 21, 2012


The best part is when he extends his airplane wings to go faster.
posted by Gator at 11:15 AM on June 21, 2012 [10 favorites]


It's like the polar opposite of the Hyperbole and a Half goose encounter.
posted by that's candlepin at 12:13 PM on June 21, 2012


Duck pls
posted by livejamie at 12:15 PM on June 21, 2012


I can't read duck body language, but that little character sure seems happy to be out and about with its "Mom."
posted by Kevin Street at 12:20 PM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


Ducks are fine, they keep to themselves in internal duckitude.

Geese are assholes.
posted by The Whelk at 12:35 PM on June 21, 2012 [4 favorites]


Last week my wife and daughter were biking and saw a baby mallard ducking all alone in the middle of a field by the river. There were dogs running all over the place and no other adult ducks in sight so they went and got him (or her?) and brought him home. Since it is illegal in Illinois to have waterfowl as pets, we called a rescue and arranged to meet someone that next Tuesday. For the three days my wife and daughter had him, they fussed over the little guy like crazy, feeding him, keeping him warm and probably unfortunately imprinting him. My wife or daughter could not walk 2 feet away without having him follow in lockstep. Is was so cute. I took a video of my wife feeding him some boiled egg and fruit (per instructions of the rescue).
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:50 PM on June 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


Exit, pursued by a duckling.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:52 PM on June 21, 2012 [6 favorites]


Geese have the potential to be fantastic - more fun than ducks. For some, a sedate and friendly temperament is a hallmark of their breed. They'll amble over while you're gardening and chatter away, sharing the latest goose gossip and untying your shoelaces for you. Goslings have a happy little trilling coo they do when they're content, cozy, and inclined to fall asleep. My gander, Murphy, is over a year old but still tries to sing his baby coo. His voice is too hoarse so it comes out as a whisper. It's nice to be trusted by them.
posted by Lou Stuells at 12:59 PM on June 21, 2012 [4 favorites]


...and zip round the corner came Zachary Quack.

I never realised quite how much he could zip!
posted by fizban at 1:06 PM on June 21, 2012


Geese have the potential to be fantastic - more fun than ducks. For some, a sedate and friendly temperament is a hallmark of their breed. They'll amble over while you're gardening and chatter away, sharing the latest goose gossip and untying your shoelaces for you. Goslings have a happy little trilling coo they do when they're content, cozy, and inclined to fall asleep. My gander, Murphy, is over a year old but still tries to sing his baby coo. His voice is too hoarse so it comes out as a whisper. It's nice to be trusted by them.
posted by Lou Stuells at 3:59 PM on June 21


Flagged. You are clearly in the pocket of Big Goose. Spread your lies somewhere else.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:07 PM on June 21, 2012 [12 favorites]


that was the most anxiety-ridden 30 seconds I've had this month.

I prefer videos about ducklings running an obstacle course while trying to follow mommy duck.

Or ones where they are just kicking around someone's pool.
posted by ceribus peribus at 2:23 PM on June 21, 2012


Not to self-link or anything, but ducks in the wind, previously.
posted by maryr at 3:40 PM on June 21, 2012


OMG, ducklings run SUPER-FAST!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:49 PM on June 21, 2012


MY GOD MAN JUST PICK THE POOR THING UP
posted by Windigo at 6:12 PM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


Needs chocobo soundtrack.
posted by SPrintF at 7:21 PM on June 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


Boom.
posted by whitneyarner at 7:52 PM on June 21, 2012


The foot sounds just kill me.

Same here. Almost as cute as it's little winglets trying to fly.

Now I want a duck as a pet.
posted by gjc at 8:15 PM on June 21, 2012


My God. It's full of SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!
posted by vozworth at 8:20 PM on June 21, 2012


Feeding a duckling eggs just seems so very wrong.
posted by spinturtle at 8:43 PM on June 21, 2012


I dunno, based on what I'm seeing this isn't a happy story overall. The guy's own comments on youtube:

I suppose I should write this to give those who are wondering what happened to Charley the duck a sense of closure. One day my sister brought home a duckling. She purchased it at the mall. The were being sold because it was close to Easter. When she brought it home the rest of the family was not as taken by this duck as she was. However, I constructed a cage and we kept the duck in the garage. Eventually the duck got older and grew too big for its cage. We let the duck stay outside. He live quite well on his own for about two or three weeks. We left out food for him and he would spend the day roaming the yard. At night he would sleep in a bush near the back door.

One morning I left for work and he was sitting on the bush as content as can be. Sometime after I left, he went missing. No one really knows where he got off to. We live in a rather rural area, and there are predators, so I would not be surprised if he were picked off by something looking for lunch. And that is the story of Charley the duck. I took some videos of him more as an opportunity to use the new camera I had bought than an attempt to make a viral video. After all, it has been two years since these videos were posted. Regarding the comments posted earlier in which I stated 'I had no emotional attachment to the duck', I stand by what was said. I treated this duck like any other animal would be treated on a farm. It had food, it was sheltered until it reached a point where it would be able to survive in the elements, and one day it took off either for a different yard to wander about, or down the gullet of something bigger. And that is the story of Charley duck.
posted by Salmonberry at 9:26 PM on June 21, 2012


♫ Just like me ♫
♫ They long to be ♫
♫ Close to you ♫
posted by Trochanter at 9:48 PM on June 21, 2012


I had no idea that baby ducks actually made that squeaky noise like squeaker toys. ADORABLE.
posted by Aquifer at 6:34 PM on June 22, 2012


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