SPINNING AROUND

Going around in circles proves fruitful for this filter-feeder

- Nick Baker's

Under an azure outback sky, the parched land envelops a small, shallow, lively lagoon. On the water, several pairs of small ducks catch the eye; they are incessantly spinning. Each pair is evenly separated from its neighbours and whirls around in a tight circle, with one duck following the other’s tail feathers. When one momentarily lifts its head, their identity is confirmed: they are pink-eared ducks.

It’s a funny name for a funny duck. The least apparent thing about it is its ‘pink ears’. These are the small patches of coloured feathers on the side of the bird’s head, which are only visible at certain times of the year, and even then only under close scrutiny. Much more noticeable are the bold black and white stripes on its belly and flanks that give it the alternative name of zebra duck or zebra teal.