Mandarin Duck
| Mandarin Duck | |
|---|---|
 |
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| A pair of ducks din Switzerland | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Aix |
| Species: | A. galericulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) breeds in eastern Siberia, China and Japan and winters in southern China and Japan. There is a small free-flying population in Britain stemming from the release captive bred ducks.
Description [change]
In full plumage, the male has a pair of "sail" feathers that are raised vertically above the back, a crest of orange and cream feathers, and a broad white eye-stripe that is bounded above and below by darker feathers. The female is duller in color and has an overall grey appearance marked by a curving white stripe behind the eye and a series of white blotches on the underparts. In flight, both sexes display a bluish-green iridescent speculum.
Habitat [change]
The Mandarin lives in the forests of China and Japan. They prefer wooded ponds and fast flowing rocky streams to swim, wade, and feed in.
