The Peabody Ducks are Hotel VIP’s

With a parade that evokes a big “aaaaaahhhhh” from guests, The Peabody Memphis capitalizes on its convenient downtown locations and its status as a popular attraction with The Peabody Ducks.  If you thought the lure here was the magnificent lobby or the plush rooms, you’d only be partially right.  The biggest attraction at this hotel is fowl – a flock of ducks that for over 75 years have called The Peabody home.

Every day at 11 am the ducks ride the elevator down from their comfy home on the rooftop, a specially built 288 square foot Royal Duck Palace featuring swimming fountain, sundeck, and sleeping quarters,  across a red carpet, and march through the Peabody lobby to the strains of John Phillip Sousa.  They then take up residence for the day in the lobby’s marble fountain.  At 5 pm,the ducks reverse the march, and return to their private abode on the rooftop.

How did the ducks come to be big stars at this hotel?

It started back in 1933 with the hotel’s General Manager and a friend.  Perhaps after a little bit of liquid refreshment, the two thought it would be funny to put some live ducks in the fountain.  There’s also rumors that they had been using the ducks as live decoys, and put them in the hotel fountain to avoid being caught.  Whatever the reason, the duck became a hit, and in the fountain they stayed.

Eventually Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer who was then working at the hotel as a bellman, taught the ducks how to march through the lobby, and the tradition of the Duck March was born.  Pembroke was soon bestowed the title of “Duck Master,” a position that he held for 50 years.

Today, Jason Sensat serves as Duck Master for five North American mallards (on male, four female).  Numerous celebrities have served as Honorary Duck Masters, including Oprah Winfrey, Emeril Lagasse, Molly Ringwald, Chris Matthews, Larry King, Kevin Bacon, Patrick Swayze, and more.  Hotel guests, usually children, are occasionally drafted to help serve as Duck Master for the day – a treat sure to delight kids of any age.

While the ducks are not pets, and they don’t have names, they are very special VIP’s at the hotel.  The hotel’s notable French restaurant, Chez Phillippe, does not serve duck on its menu in deference to its special guests.  And after serving a three month rotation at The Peabody, the ducks are retired to a local farm to live out the remainder of their days in wild duck retirement.

The Peabody Memphis is located downtown at 149 Union Avenue.  The duck parade is daily at 11 am and 5 pm through the hotel’s Grand Lobby.  Get their early to find a prime viewing and photo spot.  You can view the Royal Duck Palace from 8 am to 10 pm.

Photo credit: cloudsoup @flickr