Quick Facts
- Type
- Bird
- Size
- 41–49 cm (body length)
- Weight
- 0.4–0.7 kg
- Habitat
- Wooded ponds, lakes, and rivers
- Diet
- Seeds, plants, insects, and snails
- Active Time
- Active by day (diurnal)
- Lifespan
- 6–10 years
Field Notes
- Mandarin ducks nest in tree holes, and ducklings jump to the ground after hatching.
- In East Asian culture they are a symbol of love and lifelong partnership.
- The drake's bright 'sail' feathers are actually enlarged wing feathers.
About the Mandarin Duck
The mandarin duck is a small, brightly colored perching duck native to East Asia, with introduced populations now living in parts of Europe. Breeding males are unmistakable, sporting orange 'sail' feathers on the wings, a purple breast, and a coppery face with whiskered cheeks, while females are an elegant grey-brown with a white eye-ring. Unusually for ducks, mandarins nest in tree cavities, sometimes high above the ground, and ducklings leap from the nest soon after hatching. They are widely regarded as a symbol of love and fidelity.
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