Beware of low-flying ducks

"This is the same place where that duck flew onto my car," said our daughter Amy.

Ricky and I looked at her as we drove along. What?

"Oh, didn't I tell you about that?"

Um, no. We think we would remember that story.

Before she gives us the details, I need to explain something for those outside of South Florida. Ducks here are not like other ducks.Their rotund bodies have a low center of gravity. They are mostly black with some white markings, and have a red beak area that is reminiscent of a turkey's wattle. Actually, these so-called ducks look much more like turkeys than they do those sleek mallard ducks I imagine seeing in paintings hanging fireside in a hunting lodge.

Because of their disproportionately large and round bodies, these ducks do not look like they can fly. But they can -- sort of. Every once in awhile you'll see one take off and become airborne, in which case everyone's reaction is always the same: "That can fly?!" Or, maybe: "Look! That duck-like bird is flying!"

I've seen this a few times during my 30 years of living in Florida. The airborne turkey-duck is rare and quite memorable. And also dangerous. That's because they can't seem to get more than five feet off the ground.

Now, Amy continues her story.

"I was driving right here with my friend in the car. And she said, 'Duck!' So, I ducked. But then a duck flew into the car kind of. It was on the hood and it walked across the hood."

While you were still driving?

"Yes. It walked across. But I think it was okay. And then after, we looked behind us but we didn't see it anywhere."

So, the next time you're driving in Florida, and someone yells "Duck!" make sure you hit the brakes.