In the future, there is only Torrent Duck.

December 23, 2024 6:16 AM

If you only have time for one more video of a duck swimming in white water rapids, might I suggest Torrent Duck? via
posted by signal (24 comments total)

Okay, so now in addition to dogs and cows sledding, we have ducks whitewater rafting. Love it!
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:21 AM on December 23, 2024 [5 favorites]

Cute! I was about to say "nice Merganser" but apparently these are Merganetta, and they are the sole species. Also interesting that they are reluctant to fly and only go short distances, perhaps they are on their way to flightlessness.

(waterfowl systematics is a nightmare my advice is don't bother learning any of it for a few more decades at least because they keep rearranging things so often)
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:28 AM on December 23, 2024 [7 favorites]

I found the time, I feel good about the choice. Thanks
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 6:36 AM on December 23, 2024 [8 favorites]

As a kid I had a book by the now-ungoogleable title of Remarkable Animals which had short profiles of, well, really cool animals. The torrent duck was one of my favorites, along with the olm, the devil’s hole pupfish and the now sadly extinct dusky seaside sparrow —
probably not the only species in the book that’s been wiped out by humans since its publication.

So happy to be able to see these delightful birds on video. And the babies are so cute (and brave!)
posted by bettafish at 7:13 AM on December 23, 2024 [5 favorites]

Cute! I was about to say "nice Merganser" but apparently

I was afraid you were going to say apparently they're not so nice!
posted by moonmilk at 7:17 AM on December 23, 2024 [6 favorites]

but... what if I have time for more than just one more video of a duck swimming in white water rapids?
posted by I-Write-Essays at 7:34 AM on December 23, 2024 [3 favorites]

In that case: harlequin ducklings, blue duck, mallard, and, if all those ducks are overly exciting, here are some stiller waters.
posted by box at 7:48 AM on December 23, 2024 [7 favorites]

“Be like the duck - calm on the surface but paddling like the dickens underneath”

- probably not really Michael Caine
posted by TwoWordReview at 7:50 AM on December 23, 2024 [2 favorites]

Surely that's by the great philosopher Rubber Duck: my daddy always told me to be just like a duck. Stay smooth on the surface and paddle like the devil underneath!
posted by Mitheral at 8:50 AM on December 23, 2024 [2 favorites]

Here's to all the millions of proto-torrent ducks who jumped in and never came out. Evolution!
posted by SoberHighland at 8:51 AM on December 23, 2024 [1 favorite]

Maybe someone could set up a duck torrent for all our duck-watching needs?
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:58 AM on December 23, 2024 [2 favorites]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
posted by supermedusa at 9:04 AM on December 23, 2024 [4 favorites]

I really thought this was going to be about some new, next-level file-sharing app. But the ducks are cute.
posted by the sobsister at 9:32 AM on December 23, 2024 [5 favorites]

They must have the world's grippiest feet to be able to stop on a mid-torrent rock.
posted by scruss at 9:40 AM on December 23, 2024 [3 favorites]

*5 seconds later* we are pleased to inform you that the duck is just cute
posted by automatronic at 9:45 AM on December 23, 2024 [8 favorites]

Surely that's by the great philosopher Rubber Duck: my daddy always told me to be just like a duck. Stay smooth on the surface and paddle like the devil underneath!

That's almost certainly the original quote!
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:05 AM on December 23, 2024

birds aren't real

and this proves it
posted by chavenet at 12:54 PM on December 23, 2024

How does this even work? Is the search button hidden? I can't find any of my desired tv shows or movies.
posted by srboisvert at 1:09 PM on December 23, 2024 [3 favorites]

Look at the title ⬆️⬆️⬆️
posted by signal at 1:10 PM on December 23, 2024

Scientific analysis under "Media Notes":

Looking like they are teaching their chicks how to do Torrent duck things

Winnie The Proust, did you mean crows sledding?
posted by AzraelBrown at 1:13 PM on December 23, 2024 [1 favorite]

Obligatory Lemon Jelly: Nice Weather for Ducks
posted by scruss at 1:47 PM on December 23, 2024 [4 favorites]

Looking like they are teaching their chicks how to do Torrent duck things
posted by mrgrimm at 9:21 AM on December 24, 2024 [1 favorite]

I really thought this was going to be about some new, next-level file-sharing app

duck duck go go GOOOO
posted by ginger.beef at 12:27 PM on December 24, 2024 [2 favorites]

After seeing so many random videos on the internet, what I find really beautiful about this video is the camera work.
posted by quillbreaker at 11:23 AM on December 27, 2024