Sam Neill couldn’t be more proud of his duck

Sam Neill is probably best know for his lead role in Jurassic Park.

But the New Zealand-based actor is also the proprietor of Two Paddocks vineyards. It’s also where a number of critters call home.

So when he’s not talking about wine, Neill’s fawning over his animals.

Like his duck Charlie, who recently racked up a first.

My duck Charlie was wanting to say hello this morning, but met a barrier of ice. A major hurdle. Then something very surprising happened … pic.twitter.com/bzToAMm2WR

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) June 22, 2019

And and then a second.

“Charlie hasn’t flown for years as far as I can tell. But two flights in one weekend. I couldn’t be more proud,” Neill says, and seals it with a kiss atop the bird’s head.

View this post on Instagram

MAJESTICAL FLYER CHARLIE. If you follow my twitter thing you will have seen Charlie taking flight over ice – and astonishing me … given that Charlie just walks around and swims with me mostly . Haven’t seen her fly for years . Today she did it again! You could have knocked me down with a feather . Duck feather .

A post shared by SamNeillTheProp (@samneilltheprop) on Jun 22, 2019 at 3:54pm PDT

Some people seemed confused by the fatherly pride.

So Neill shot back about his flying duck.

“Wild ducks fly around here every day,” he posted on social media. “But Charlie last flew 6 years ago far as I know. He walks and swims. With me. So yes- a surprise. Ok ?”

Thanks for the somewhat patronising insight. I knew that. Wild ducks fly around here every day. But Charlie last flew 6 years ago far as I know. He walks and swims. With me. So yes- a surprise. Ok ?

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) June 22, 2019

They really are birds of a feather.

Morning walks and chats with duck . @charliepick pic.twitter.com/a5ZHl7oS6w

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) May 30, 2019

Another duck-type thought. pic.twitter.com/lf1UEko5kE

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) May 15, 2019

Oh, and while they’re not exactly dinosaurs, here are some of Neill’s other critter companions.

This is our Rooster- vain, puffed up, bossy and yes quite handsome. His name is Bryan Brown. But that’s just a coincidence. pic.twitter.com/avxKOoi2Oz

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) June 16, 2019

Well here’s the scratching photo that twitter ignored. Duh . Maybe it’ll take your mind off #BuckinghamPalace. pic.twitter.com/ZxyaviXn4t

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) June 4, 2019

We don’t really talk much at breakfast. pic.twitter.com/1yP3yeZ99W

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) May 24, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Did you hear the one about the pig , the duck, and the llama walk into a bar ? Oh you heard it already ? Yeah I know , pretty funny eh .

A post shared by SamNeillTheProp (@samneilltheprop) on Mar 8, 2019 at 5:08pm PST

View this post on Instagram

PIG PILATES . We do our stretching routine together most mornings . It’s thorough, it’s rigorous and he’s a firm but fair coach . Here it’s ‘’’Upward Facing Dog “ . Then it’s his turn ….

A post shared by SamNeillTheProp (@samneilltheprop) on Jan 27, 2019 at 3:10pm PST