Spousal abuse in Paradise Ducks -Putangitangi

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Actively supporting NZ’s endangered wetland birds

Paradise duck male attacks his mate

Cowering female paradise duck

NZ Paradise Ducks-Putangitangi are treated with deference because they show an especial affection for their mates. The males work hard in helping to rear their families and these animals are thought to be monogamous and pair up for life. In one incident some years ago in Christchurch, near the botanical gardens a female caused something of a sensation by keeping vigil for some days over the spot in the city where her mate had been run down by a car.

A pair of these ducks have currently settled into our wetland area and can be seen most days, grazing on the banks of the Wharemauku or in the airport precinct. Putangitangi haven’t raised a family on the dune lake for two years now and we were hoping these two might break the drought; not so much because they are rare but because the mothers in particular  are much more alert to threats than some of the less canny birds like grey teal, parera and pied stilt, which helps make a safer environment for them all.

This morning however we rather punctured the paradise ducks reputation in observing the male physically assaulting the female. Sometimes this aggressive behaviour marks a prelude to mating –which can be very rough on the female- though in this instance it looks rather like a simple case of IMS -irritable male syndrome. They made up afterwards with a traditional grooming session; though the female looked distressingly cowered by her mate’s pugnacity

 

Paradise ducks grooming

On the plus side of this, once again here is evidence of complex behaviour in animals that points to the complexity with which their minds are working.  We can never know what’s going on in an animal’s mind (If you want to explore this topic then Thomas Nagel’s What is it like to be a Bat is a good place to start thinking about thinking about animals thinking – though be forewarned, the territory you’re  venturing into is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma (That's Winston Churchill on Russia!)). However what this behaviour does indicate is that the two are involved in a relationship that isn’t as different from the human versionours as we have come to think; and that the consciousness producing ‘machinery’ needed to sustain it may not therefore, by very  different from ours either.

An update on NIWA

NIWA pollution monitor -
Wharemauku May 13

It took NIWA 11 days to clear the accumulated flotsam  from their pollutant monitor on the Wharemauku. Two days later the gunk was starting to pile up again. We have had quite a lot of rain over the past fortnight with two floods topping the creeks banks one of which flowed over. As a result this NIWA’s midstream intake has taken on a decided lean. And here is the reason why (below). They have anchored  this in a swamp and if they don't do something soon, they're going to lose it altogether.

NIWA monitor takes another hit -May 15

A very blue, Joni Mitchell, was cheering us up no end by rattling out  Carey as we lay down this post…(What is it about a voice like hers that  gets right inside you like that?)

Come on down to the Mermaid Cafe and I will buy you a bottle of wine
And we'll laugh and toast to nothing and smash our empty glasses down
Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Let's have another round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town

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