Kees Moeliker: How a dead duck changed my life

One afternoon, Kees Moeliker got a research opportunity few ornithologists would wish for: A flying duck slammed into his glass office building, died, and then ... what happened next would change his life. [Note: Contains graphic images and descriptions of sexual behavior in animals.]

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[drainocleanser]

This is the best TEDtalks I've ever seen and probably will ever see for the remainder of my life.

[elghunk]

If they laugh at things that are meant to be slightly humorous, then the speaker's confidence grows and the lecture will be better. It is not idiotic to be a supportive audience.

[gendeb]

Omg, if only all speakers were so, ah, entertaining.

[thewrastler]

This is one of the most fun TEDs that I've ever seen

[KaritKtana]

so many words i never thought i'd hear in one TED talk!!

[PINKiller]

2:46 I half expected him to say "and before I cooked the duck..."

[TheDiscoMole]

this is one of the best talks i have seen in a long time. This guy is one hella G

[johnandliznz]

I kept wondering...Kees explained the how and the what - but no why. Got me thinking: Two male mallard ducks flying along, one bigger and with all the charisma and machismo – has been terrorizing and bullying the other duck all its life. him over so to speak.
As they are flying along – the big one is bragging to the other one about how his life will never amount to anything, and how he’s a useless in the air as he is on the ground.
The big one puts on a burst of speed and goads the other one to go faster. If ducks had a black box on the flight deck here is what it said: ‘while I’m around Bruce - your life is going to be miserable and I can promise you, I’ll be around for………….'end of recording.

[riderlibertas]

Very interesting, and a lot of fun. Thanks TED!

[marissatamayo]

Ducks are rare creatures. One summer I remember there were few female ducks in the place where I live. One night I was walking with my husband and saw one duck male ( with a white collar on his neck ) being chased by other ducks. Finnally he was caought bij one male duck and was raped repeatedly. I was son surprised to see that. Ducks are also mean, they are capable of killing their own children when they go looking for food. They are not the best parents, unlike the crows, who take care of their children for six months after they are born.

[ambers]

Ducks have particularly aggressive sexual behavior. I have lived on a boat for 8 years and I have witnessed many times, duck gang rapes, including homosexual gang rapes with as many as 10 individual males. Ducks seem to copulate for more than procreation as I just witnessed this morning, on January 20th, -3 celsius, ducks copulating in the freezing water. For what purpose? Surely any hatchlings would perish in the freezing temps or starve from limited food source.

[nubesenmiliving]

Honestly... That bird hitting himself over and over again with the mirror made me feel just plain sad. What the hell man.

[trizmisce]

that is actually a very interesting idea and story, ty for sharing :)

[straizys]

The guy is holding Albert Heijn plastic bag :D

[GregoryKelleher]

TED explain this please... I don't what to think about this...

[daisyvision]

Hard to watch (due to a weird death phobia) But, aside from all of the cringing I had to endure, it's interesting to note that so many animals participate in necrophilia. I honestly had no idea and thought only humans had twisted sexual fetishes. Lastly, video is strongly suggested to anyone on a diet. xD

[shadracktoo]

I was excited to see the video of bird fighting his one image on class because have been often observing at my home😹

[KIRRRRU]

Good video, good speech -- but I'm missing the point, how did it change his life?

[FreedomValentine]

That blackbird video has got to go viral.

[NasihSaifullah]

did he finish up his research? I waited for him to come up with a conclusion of his research but then nothing. He even raised even more questions at the end of the talk.