Card #031 · Birds
Mandarin duck
Aix galericulata
Common LC · Least Concern
Field notes
- Classification
- Order Anseriformes · Family Anatidae
- Range
- East Asia (introduced populations in UK/Europe)
- Size
- 41–49 cm (16–19 in)
- Weight
- ~0.4–0.7 kg (1–1.5 lb)
- Lifespan
- ~6–7 yrs (wild)
- Diet
- Omnivore
Most Notable
For centuries across China, Korea, and Japan it has stood for love and lifelong fidelity; pairs were given to newlyweds, and in Japanese "oshidori fufu" still means a devoted married couple.
It nests in tree cavities high above the ground, and a day after hatching the ducklings answer their mother's calls from below and leap from the entrance, bouncing unhurt off the forest floor to follow her to water.
Native to East Asia, the Mandarin duck has declined across parts of its home range even as an introduced, free-living population in Britain has grown to around 7,000 birds.
Its only close relative is the North American wood duck; the two are the sole members of the genus Aix, and both are unusual among ducks for nesting in trees.
After the breeding season the male molts his sails and whiskers for a drab "eclipse" plumage that closely resembles the female, keeping only his bright red bill.
Range: Native to East Asia: the Russian Far East, northeast China, Korea, and Japan.