Why does the Peabody Hotel have ducks?

Why the Peabody Hotel Has a Duck March

It all started with a little mischief and a lot of charm. Back in 1933, Frank Schutt, the general manager of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, returned from a hunting trip in Arkansas with more than just stories. Alongside his friends, he brought back three live English call ducks—not for the dinner table, but for a bit of fun. On a whim, they placed the ducks in the hotel’s elegant marble fountain in the lobby.

Guests were delighted. The sight of the ducks paddling among the lilies quickly became a talking point, drawing smiles and curiosity. What began as a spontaneous prank soon evolved into a cherished tradition. The hotel’s owner, inspired by the positive reaction, decided to make it official. Thus, the Peabody Duck March was born.

Every day at 11 a.m., a well-dressed duckmaster leads a line of ducks across the red carpet from their rooftop penthouse down to the lobby fountain—complete with a royal fanfare. At 5 p.m., they march back. It’s a ritual that’s been repeated for decades, becoming one of Memphis’s most beloved quirks.

The ducks are not just a gimmick—they’re a symbol of the Peabody’s whimsy and warmth. Today, the ducks live in luxury on a rooftop suite specially designed for them, enjoying fresh water, gourmet feed, and even training to ensure they’re ready for their daily debut. Trained at a duck farm in Arkansas, they serve six-week terms before retiring to a farm, replaced by the next proud batch.

Over the years, the Peabody Duck March has become more than just a hotel attraction—it’s a piece of Americana, a tradition rooted in spontaneity and sustained by joy. In a world that often takes itself too seriously, the ducks remind us that sometimes, the best traditions start with a little silliness.