Scientific Classification

Common Name

Mandarin duck

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae

Genus Species

Aix (water bird) galericulata (small capped head)

Fast Facts

Description

The Mandarin duck is a beautifully colored bird with a greenish-black forehead and a purple crest near the back of the head. The sides of the head are creamy white with a chestnut patch below the eyes. The sides of the neck and the cheeks have longer brown feathers. The upper breast is maroon, and the lower breast and belly are white. The females are grayer and have a smaller crest and eye ring compared to the male.

Size

Adult birds may reach 21.0 to 24.5 cm (8.3 to 9.7 in.) in length.

Weight

Adult males can weigh up to 0.63 kg (1.4 lbs.). The females are larger and may reach 1.08 kg (2.4 lbs.).

Diet

These birds may feed on seeds, acorns, small fruit, insects, snails, and small fish.

Incubation

28 to 30 days

Clutch Size

Females lay 9 to 12 eggs and incubate the eggs 80% of the time.

Fledging Duration

6 to 8 weeks

Sexual Maturity

1 year

Life Span

6 to 7 years 

Range

These birds can be found in Korea, Eastern Russia, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

Habitat

These birds in habit temperate forests near wetlands including rivers, streams, bogs, marshes, swamps, and freshwater lakes.

Population

The global population is estimated at around 65,000 individuals. The overall trend is decreasing, although some populations may be stable.

Status 

IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS:  Not listed

Fun Facts

Mandarin ducks are highly social, flying in large flocks during winter.

Their pair bonds are very strong and they will return to the same mate if they survive.

Females initiate courtship using enticing behavior to attract a preferred male.

Ecology and Conservation

Females take the initiative in choosing a mate by orienting enticing behavior toward a preferred mate.

This species is not hunted for food because they taste bad, which has consequently helped them survive.

Bibliography

Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.

Gooders, J., and T. Boyer. Ducks of North America and the Northern Hemisphere. Facts on File Publications, 1986.

Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.

Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.

Scott, P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World. Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.

Todd, F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego, Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996.

animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/aix/a._galericulata$narrative.html

home.att.net/~DanCowell/aix.html

BirdLife International 2018. Aix galericulata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22680107A131911544. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22680107A131911544.en. Downloaded on 19 November 2019.