Pretty sure ducks flap their wings to achieve flight for transportation, not secretly telling us to focus on the present moment

We are not an animal species. This is in regard to "losing our way". Our way is to be men and woman, a level of being with more soul connection to the Divine that other animal species have. Yes we have a body, and that body is animal, a species. But that is NOT what we seek direction from. Our proper bearings and will to actions or inactions are due out of our soul's connection to the Divine, and that connection has a history since Adam and Eve, and in that history much hard won, and much more "revealed" guidance as to what our "Dao": our way, should indeed be in everything we do.

I have a lot of experience with ducks. When a duck flaps its wings it is (1) shaking off water, (2) inititaing or sustaining flight, or (3) showing an agressive face! I guess the first applies to what to author of the quote intends -- to stop, to throw off wasteful and indulgent behaviours.