Housing Shortage

Posted by Jill Taylor on June 18, 2003

Q: I once heard that a duck's quack doesn't echo. It this true? If so, why?

Thanks! Jill

A: This is a new one on me. I tried to think if there was some resonance that wouldn't bounce back to the sound-producer and thought maybe high frequencies. Then I remembered that bats, who use very high frequency, depend on echolocation for finding their food. So, I couldn't think of any sounds that might not echo. I think it's safe to say that a duck's quack does indeed echo if produced in the right setting.

John Wiessinger ( June 19, 2003)

Filed under: Ecology