Duck's Quack? Is it true that a duck's quack does not echo?

Question

If so, why?

Answer 1

False -- proven at first link, commented on at second link:

"The winner (so far) of the Most Ludicrous Entry contest is the claim that a duck's quack doesn't echo. Unfortunately, it's also the item we're most frequently asked about. The premise is just silly: a duck's quack (and presumably, of all the sounds known to man, only a duck's quack) has some special sonic property that causes it not to echo. We're not talking about a situation where a landform creates an acoustic shadow (a phenomenon under which even loud sounds can be inaudible to nearby listeners), but the claim that a duck's quack doesn't echo under any conditions. "

Read further at links below of more information. Or, just search on any engine with "duck quack echo" and find LOTS more sites to have fun with.

Answer 2

Actually, the show Mythbusters tackled this question.

It turns out that a ducks quack DOES echo! However, there is an oddity to the echo - it has the same wave form as the original sound (apparently this doesn't usually happen).

As a result, it is hard to tell the difference between the quack and the echo - they sound the same. But - they are both there and a quack (just like any other sound) does echo.

Answer 3

Actually Yes it does.. Mythbusters did this with a sound lab at a Univeristy and it does echo

Why we dont hear an eacho is beause ducks are not usually found where an echo would exist, and also the call is short and bleating

Good Luck

wismom

Answer 4

I saw this on Mythbusters once. It turns out that it does echo. I can't remember the specifics, something about the echo is different, but yes there is an echo.

Answer 5

I have a duck but then again i dont live near anything to make his voice echo

Answer 6

I don't know why - but Myth Busters tested it and showed that it does not echo... maybe check out the Myth Busters web site

Answer 7

to my knowledge, yes