Originally Posted by
Barnestormer
It was always my understanding that the feeding call is used not to say to ducks "we're feeding" but to reproduce the actual sounds of ducks on the water in a group.
As your post states this would be a normal sound or communication that passing ducks would be accustomed to hearing. They do also make the feeding chuckle in flight.
Think they just call it the "feeding call" because it generally occurs when ducks are on the water and are in fact feeding. And it also sounds better than the "get the hell away from me" call.
Going to local pond or marsh is best place to hear actual calls in action.
They make it in flight for the same reason. If you watch ducks in the spring or fall, you may see 2-3 drakes chasing a hen and a drake, while the hen makes the incitement call, telling the other drakes that she is already "pair bonded" and they shoud leave her alone.
Read the page, I think it will exlain a lot. The information is from Dr. Paul Johsngaard, the most noted waterfowl communication expert on the planet. I wont argue with what he says.
T.R.