Govind Tekale
The Duckmaster’s role in the Peabody Memphis Hotel is one of the rarest jobs in the world. The people, places, & things in the Mid-South are highlighted by the 5-star story.
“Duckies” are greeted by their Duckmaster every morning in their $200,000 Royal Duck Palace. The Duckmaster also cleans up after his team of ducks & ensures that everything is presentable for the public to see.
The breakfast of duckies is Romaine lettuce, their favorite, followed by a pep talk from the master.
The stage is set by the Duckmaster by rolling out a red carpet & enlisting the help of children to watch the show.The ducks are referred to by the Duckmaster as the “Red Carpet Team.”
The master starts the morning’s opening ceremony at 10:45 a.m. The Duckmaster heads back up to the roof to gather the ducks at close to 11 a.m.
Smiling faces, laughter, & applause greet the ducks when they make their way down to the lobby for their grand entrance.
The first ducks of the Peabody appeared 89 years ago, in 1933. The ducks come down on the elevator to the foundation in the lobby every day at 11 a.m.
Former Ringling Brothers Circus animal trainer Edward Pembroke trained the ducks to march to & from the fountain in 1940.
The Duckmaster is responsible today for the duck’s daily care & overseeing the Duck March.
