Duck echo mystery finally quacked
Scientists have disproved the theory that a duck’s quack doesn’t produce an echo. With the help of a farmyard duck called Daisy, scientists created simulations of quacks in the Royal Albert Hall, and quacking as she flew past a cliff face. The conclusion was that a duck’s quack definitely echoes, just like any other sound - but you might not notice it.
Acoustic expert Professor Trevor Cox began the investigation at the University of Salford. Professor Cox said: “A duck quacks rather quietly, so the sound coming back is at a low level and might not be heard. Another reason why the belief might have grown that quacks do not echo is that ducks are normally found in open-water areas. They do not usually congregate around echoey cliffs.
“You’d have to find a mountain duck,” said Professor Cox, who discusses Daisy today at the British Association Festival of Science taking place at the University of Salford. —Ananova