The Peabody Ducks - The Peabody Memphis

The Legend of the Ducks

How did the tradition of the ducks in The Peabody fountain begin?

Back in the 1930s Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Tennessee sippin’ whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as “guinea pigs,” and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become internationally famous.

The original ducks have long since gone, but after more than 75 years, the marble fountain in the hotel lobby is still graced with ducks. Today, the Mallards are raised by a local farmer and friend of the hotel. The ducks live in the fountain until they are full grown and, on retirement from their Peabody duties, are returned to the wild. The Peabody ducks march at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

History Tours Guided by the Duckmaster

The Peabody Duckmaster invites you on a history tour of the hotel—with 150 years’ worth of stories.

The March of the Peabody Ducks

Daily at 11am and 5pm - We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to the Duck March to enjoy the entire show.

The Duckmaster Experience

Your Red Carpet Moment: Guide The Peabody Ducks and make memories that will last a lifetime as the Honorary Duckmaster.

Fun Facts about The Peabody Ducks

Did the Lobby fountain always have Ducks?

Ducks were not the first residents of The Peabody’s lobby fountain. Rumor has it that turtles and baby alligators each briefly graced the fountain in the 1920s.

What Breed of Ducks can be found at The Peabody?

The Peabody Ducks are five North American Mallards – one Drake (male) with a white collar and green head and four hens (females) with mottled brown plumage. The Hens are commonly referred to as “Suzies” and the Drakes are called “Greenheads.”

Is Duck Served at The Peabody?

No. Duck not been not served anywhere at The Peabody since its 1981 reopening, quite possibly making Chez Philippe the only French restaurant in the world that does not offer duck.

Do the Ducks Have Names?

The Peabody Ducks do not have individual names. However, the very first team of ducks were Peabody, Gayoso and Chisca – named after the three hotels owned by the Memphis Hotel Company in 1933.

Where do the Peabody Ducks live?

When off-duty, the ducks live in their Royal Duck Palace on the hotel’s rooftop. The $200,000 structure is made of marble and glass and features its very own fountain with a bronze duck spitting water. It also includes a small house – a replica of the hotel – where the ducks can nest with a soft, grassy “front yard.”

Are The Peabody Ducks famous?

The Peabody Marching Ducks have appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “Sesame Street” when Bert and Ernie celebrated Rubber Ducky Day, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and in People magazine and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

Have the Peabody Ducks ever been featured on a Gameshow?

Yes. The Peabody Ducks have been a question on the TV game show “Jeopardy” and in the board game Trivial Pursuit. Most recently, they appeared with Duckmaster Kenon on a gameshow “To Tell The Truth.”

What Songs have The Peabody Ducks been mentioned in?

The Peabody Ducks are mentioned in the 1999 Jimmy Buffet song “Math Suks” in a line that says “quackin’ like those Peabody ducks.”

Is “Duckmaster” a real job?

Yes it is. The original Duckmaster, Edward Pembroke, held this position for over 50 years. Only a few people have been honored with this job title!

How Long do the Ducks live at The Peabody?

Raised by a local farmer and a friend of the hotel, each team of Peabody Ducks lives at the hotel for only three months before retiring from their duty and returning to the farm, where they are free to live as wild ducks.

Can I Pet the Peabody Ducks?

No. With a return to the great outdoors in mind, the hotel recognizes its resident waterfowl as wild animals and does not domesticate them or treat them like pets.