Flying in Alfred J. Kwak

Flying in Alfred J. Kwak is depicted in several ways. Some can fly because of magic, and some of the avian and insect characters are shown to fly by using their wings. However, not all avian characters seem to be able to fly.

Insect characters and flight

• The second cut of the first episode of the animated series shows the very first flying characters, namely Mevrouw Bij, Willem Bij and Mevrouw Bij's son. The bees can later be seen in an interstitial cut just after Johan Kwak and Anna van de Polder get married and just before Henk de Mol goes for a maternity visit. Later on in the same episode, Alfred Jodocus Kwak is also engrossed for a moment by a bee moving from flower to flower.
• Later on several butterflies are shown flying around Anna van der Polder while she's picking flowers. One of the same breed of butterfly wakes Johan Kwak up the next morning. After Alfred Jodocus Kwak is born he looks at several butterflies in the air while sitting in the clog.
• While emigrating with his family Alfred sees a butterfly flying, distracting him from the journey. Later on Alfred is also smitten by a flying ladybug.
• While enjoying spring in Groot Waterland Alfred sees several bees and butterflies flying around.

Avian characters and flight

Avian characters seen flying

• Pikkie de Ekster: In episode 2 a young Pikkie is seen still struggling with his flying technique.
• Ollie de Ooievaar
• Drieling Mus
• Hannes and Wannes Snater are briefly shown flying after getting off Pel de Pelikaan's bus.
• A non-anthropomorphized gull is seen flying and resting on Alfred's oar in episode 7.
• Dolf de Kraai is seen flying, or perhaps slowing his fall by flapping and gliding with his wings, as he robs the mansion of the Snorremans, drops down from his tower and jumps out of the willow next to Alfred's clog house.
• One onlooker of Kaspar Rokodil's speech in Waterslag aan Zee is seeing flying away searching for rain cover.
• A flock of pelicans carrying supplies for Zonder Waterland seen flying in episode 20.
• Several non-anthropomorphized crows can be seen flying at the start of episode 21.

Notable avian characters not seen flying

• Rap de Kiekendief is scolded by Henk de Mol for not using his wings as Rap was chased by Johan Kwak in episode 1. Rap then talks to himself saying that he could've flown, but for some reason forgot about it.
• Alfred Jodocus Kwak is never seen flying using his wings, even though the Dutch and German versions of the opening theme mention that he does, in the very first lyric. In episode 12 the Chess Queen asks Alfred if he can fly on his own as they are flying through magical means. Alfred says he can, however as he's let go by the Queen he tries to flap his wings, but fails to actually fly. The Queen saves him from falling to the ground. Alfred is shown trying to fly in episode 13, trying to flap his wings but not going airborne. In episode 20 he is seen flapping his wings as he jumps into the water at the start of the episode. In episode 9 he can be seen flying in his dream. It is possible that Alfred has never learned how to fly because Henk de Mol was unable to teach him properly.

Magical flying

• Sib and Sum use a flying carpet to fly to Groot Waterland.
• The genie in a bottle is able to magically levitate.
• The Chess Queen allows Alfred Jodocus Kwak to fly magically as long as he holds her hand. The Queen herself is innately capable of flying by magical means.

Miscellaneous flying characters

• Alfred and Henk encounter several flying fish on their journey to the South Pole.
• To get in and out of their spaceship, the Space ducks use levitating technology.
• The Southern Cross is seen floating as well when Alfred and Henk clap for them.