The Bush Duck

I had an idea for an interesting creature and wanted to take the opportunity to practice more realistic and detailed drawing and colouring. This is the first piece in a series of imagined creatures I would like to pursue.

How does the bush duck happen?

The Bush Duck is a species that has evolved to co-exist with wild berry bushes. At the sacrifice of flight, this duck grows thicker down feathers. They will brush up against appetizing flora to allow the seeds to plant themselves in this thicker layer of down. Most bush ducks carry species that naturally grow near water, but some have been found carrying more exotic passengers.

Benefits to the passenger and chauffeur

As the duck swims, their feathers retain more water, providing for the plants rooted onto their bodies. The additional weight in their feathers prevents the duck from flying, which has resulted in the species becoming more aggressive to defend itself. This behavioural shift makes the duck an intimidating guardian against other animals that might hope to eat the plants they carry.

While the duck loses a fair amount of mobility, the flora grants them a natural camouflage. Researchers also theorize that the plants may play a hand in regulating their body temperature. Of course, the biggest benefit is that the duck is granted a mobile source of food for themselves and their flock. Even when plants carried by the bush duck do not bear fruit, they often attract insects as an alternative.