Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:09 pm
Cockney ducks go quackers.
A group of ducks which lives in the East End of London has developed a loud Cockney quack, according to researchers.
A team of scientists found that the birds, which live within the sound of Bow Bells, have developed the quack so they can be heard above the din of city life.
Dr Victoria de Rijke led the research at Spitalfields City Farm in a bid to show that ducks, just like humans, develop accents in response to their environment.
She found that ducks in the peaceful surroundings of Cornwall had a much more relaxed, gentler quack.
"The Cockney ducks at the city farm were much louder and vocally excitable than the ducks on the farm in Cornwall," she said.
"The Cornish ducks were much more chilled out. London ducks have the stress of city life and a lot of noise to compete with like sirens, horns, planes and trains.
"The Cornish ducks had a big field to roam in and much more peaceful surroundings."
Dr Rijke said she will to continue her study to find out whether ducks elsewhere have developed Scouse, Geordie and Irish accents.
Link
A team of scientists found that the birds, which live within the sound of Bow Bells, have developed the quack so they can be heard above the din of city life.
Dr Victoria de Rijke led the research at Spitalfields City Farm in a bid to show that ducks, just like humans, develop accents in response to their environment.
She found that ducks in the peaceful surroundings of Cornwall had a much more relaxed, gentler quack.
"The Cockney ducks at the city farm were much louder and vocally excitable than the ducks on the farm in Cornwall," she said.
"The Cornish ducks were much more chilled out. London ducks have the stress of city life and a lot of noise to compete with like sirens, horns, planes and trains.
"The Cornish ducks had a big field to roam in and much more peaceful surroundings."
Dr Rijke said she will to continue her study to find out whether ducks elsewhere have developed Scouse, Geordie and Irish accents.
Link
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