Mandarin duck: description, features, habitat and interesting facts. Decorative mandarin duck Big mandarin duck

Squad - Anseriformes

Family - Duck

Genus / Species - Aix galericuda. Mandarin duck

Basic data:

SIZE

Length: 43-46 cm.

Wingspan: 70 cm.

Weight: male - 630 g, female - 510 g.

REPRODUCTION

Puberty: in year.

Breeding period: April June.

Number of eggs: 9-12.

Incubation: 29-30 days.

Feeding chicks: 40-45 days.

LIFESTYLE

Habits: Mandarin duck (see bird photo) shy, but sociable. Lives in the forests.

Food: seeds, nuts, plants, sometimes shellfish and insects.

Life Expectancy: nature 3-6 years, in captivity - up to 12 years.

RELATED SPECIES

Mandarin duck is one of 13 types of ducks. Its closest relative is the Caroline duck.

Mandarin duck. Video (00:00:45)

These days, mandarin ducks are increasingly being raised at home as ornamental birds, so it is hoped that these beautiful birds will be preserved. The destruction of their natural habitats, which is still ongoing, means that the continued existence of these ducks depends on the populations that are settled in Europe.

HABITS

In their homeland, in the Far East, these little ducks keep in small flocks on the shores of forested mountain rivers and lakes. Most of all they like dense thickets, where branches of trees hang over the water. Shy by nature, the bird is more willing to hide in the bushes along the banks of the rivers, from where, in case of danger, it can slip into the water or imperceptibly go ashore. At the end of summer, it goes to feed on flooded rice fields, swamps and other open, wet areas. Mandarin ducks can also often be seen in parks, coastal shrubs or in the water. Often these ducks overcome their natural distrust of people and become almost tame. Mandarin ducklings are active in the morning and in the evening when they comb rivers and lakes in search of food. During the day they rest on the shore or in the nearby trees. Nests are arranged in hollows at different heights, sometimes up to 10 meters; less often on the ground.

WHAT IS EATED

Although tangerines are mostly herbivorous, they eat almost everything from seeds to shellfish and small fish. In late summer, populations of ducks living in Asia often migrate to rice fields. In the UK and Central Europe, aquatic plants and insects form the basis of the tangerine's spring and summer diet. In autumn, these birds happily eat acorns, beech and chestnuts. While swimming, mandarins collect food from the surface of the water, or, diving, catch aquatic insects and small fish.

REPRODUCTION

In autumn, the male mandarin duck dress up in unusually beautiful plumage. Mandarin ducks are without a doubt the most beautiful ducks on Earth! Beautiful plumage is very important for a bird, as it serves to attract a female in order to mate with her next spring.

Swimming in the water in front of females, males perform rather complicated courtship dances. When the female chooses a mate, she swims up to him and keeps close. A new pair is formed every year. The female goes in search of a place for a nest. Usually he chooses a hollow located near the water. In mid-April, the female lays one egg per day for 9-12 days. She incubates eggs herself. A few days after hatching, the ducklings jump out of the nest to the ground, and the mother leads them to the feeding place. After 6 weeks, the chicks become independent.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE MANDARIN DUCK

Mandarin duck is from the Far East. It was brought to many European countries. In England, where these ducks have lived in nature since 1930, today there are up to 1000 pairs that nest there. Mandarin duck are close relatives of Caroline ducks. A male mandarin duck in breeding plumage is even brighter than a male Caroline duck. It is easily recognizable by its bright orange "mirrors" on the wings. A modestly dressed female mandarin duck can be easily distinguished from other ducks by white spots around and behind the eyes.

GENERAL PROVISIONS. DESCRIPTION

Mandarin duck has long been bred for beauty, including in Russia and Ukraine.

Perhaps this little tree duck is unmatched in the world in its beauty. Only the male has luxurious plumage, while the female has a more modest color. Inhabits cedar-deciduous forests of the south of the Russian Far East and deciduous forests of Japan, Korea and northern China. Nest equips in tree hollows. There are dozen, sometimes a dozen eggs in a clutch. The hatched chicks themselves jump down to the ground from any height. They feed on mollusks, worms, fish caviar, seeds of aquatic plants.

  • Mandarin duck is the only duck that cannot interbreed with other types of ducks. The number of chromosomes in it is less than the number of chromosomes in representatives of other species.
  • The main reasons for the decline in the number of the species are agricultural development of lowlands and deforestation on the river banks.
  • The male, having changed the mating outfit for the usual one, becomes similar to the female. It can only be distinguished by its red beak.
  • Earlier, people in China gave each other a pair of tangerines as a symbol of marital fidelity. But in fact, this tradition is not connected with reality, since mandarin ducklings are looking for a new partner every year.
  • Mandarin duck nests in hollows. Acorns have been an important and valuable source of nutrition for them for a long time.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF MANDARINS

The modestly colored female can be recognized by the shape of her head, thin white rings around her eyes, and long white feathers behind her eyes. The female Caroline duck looks like it. During mating and nesting periods, the male is brightly colored, on his head he has a multi-colored crest and expressive orange "mirrors" on the wings. For several days after hatching, the chicks remain in the hollow, and then jump out to the ground.


- Tangerine used to be widespread here

WHERE DIVES

Lives in parts of the Far East, in Russia and China. Today, the largest populations of the species live in Japan and Central Europe.

PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION

The primary number of mandarins has significantly decreased due to the destruction of forests in the Far East and the active fishing of ornamental birds. Mandarin duck is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Mandarin ducks. Video (00:02:37)

My ducks Mandarin duck)) an unrealistically beautiful bird

mandarin duck. Video (00:01:22)

Mandarin duck. Video (00:11:51)

Zoo birds - a very beautiful multi-colored mandarin duck is cleaning its plumage. Video (00:01:09)

Mandarin duck (Latin Aix galericulata) is a small bird of the genus of forest ducks of the duck family. The mandarin duck lives in the Far East. Mandarin duck is a small duck weighing 0.4-0.7 kg. The breeding outfit of the male mandarin duck stands out among other ducks with a bright color of plumage. The male has a crest on his head and is more brightly colored than the female. There are other, outdated, names - "Mandarin duck" or "Chinese duck". Mandarin duck is only found in East Asia. In Russia, the mandarin duck nests in the Amur and Sakhalin regions, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories. Winters in China and Japan. This duck inhabits forested mountain rivers with tree branches hanging over the water and riverside mountain forests. The mandarin duck swims well, while sitting high on the water with a slightly raised tail. She rarely dives, only when she is injured. Its flight is fast and maneuverable, it takes off easily, sometimes almost straight up. Unlike most ducks, the mandarin duck can often be seen sitting on tree branches or on coastal rocks. They feed on seeds, mainly acorns and aquatic plants. Also mandarin duck feed on molluscs, worms and fish caviar.

Kira Stoletova

The mandarin duck is a wild waterfowl that lives in the Far East, Northeast Asia, Japan. She was also introduced to the USA, Ireland and the UK. You can get to know her in zoos, in some countries she lives in public parks. Mandarin duck is a family of ducks, a genus of forest ducks. This is a representative of an endangered species, therefore the Russian and World Red Data Book included it in their lists.

Bird description

The mandarin duck got its name in ancient China. The local nobles, who were called tangerines, loved the unusually beautiful little birds. They often kept them in ponds in their gardens. Couples of birds were presented to the newlyweds for the wedding. Interesting facts indicate that these birds form a couple of times for a lifetime. Even after the death of a partner, they do not look for a new one for themselves, therefore they are revered as a symbol of loyalty.

Images and figures of colored ducks are used in the ancient art of Feng Shui. The old names for the species are Chinese, or Mandarin duck, but they are no longer used.

What does a mandarin bird look like? She is not at all large and is considered the most beautiful of all ducks, thanks to the magnificent drake's wedding dress. Here is a short description of the tangerine bird options:

  • Weight - 0.4-0.7 kg.
  • Body length - 40-48 cm.
  • Wing length - 21-24.5 cm.

The tangerine is distinguished by interesting plumage colors that appear in males during the mating season. The drake's coloring looks like this:

  • On the head there is a bright orange crest and sideburns of the same color; between them there are white stripes from the peephole to the back of the neck.
  • The goiter is purple.
  • The belly is white.
  • The tail is dark above, light below.
  • The sides are beige.
  • The last feather on the wing ends in a bright orange fan; with the wings folded, it sticks up.
  • On the back, the body is bright orange, with red, green and blue stripes.

It is important to note that all the colors on the male's plumage are clearly separated from each other and almost never merge. The drawings on the duck's plumage are more modest, it plays the role of disguise, the colors smoothly transition into each other:

  • The head is gray, with a small gray crest on it.
  • The breast and sides are variegated, gray feathers alternate with white ones.
  • The belly is white.
  • The back is brown.

The drake wears his bright headdress almost all year, from September to July. In the middle of summer, birds begin to molt, males become similar to females. At this time, they stray into separate flocks and hide in the thickets. White mandarin ducks are very rare in nature. The female has a uniform light color. The male has a combination of white and cream shades. The protruding fans on the wings, a saddle on the back and a tuft on the head testify to belonging to the same species with colored tangerines. You can better see the appearance of birds in the photo of mandarin ducks.

Where do tangerines live

Where the mandarin duck lives. This bird lives in the countries of East Asia, Japan, Sakhalin, in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur Valley. The bird is migratory; for the winter it flies to Japan and southern regions of China, but nests in the north. In the 18th century, ducks were introduced and successfully acclimatized to Ireland and Great Britain. In the 80s of the last century, mandarin ducks were brought to California. In Britain and the United States, birds often live in parks, near human homes; you can see them in zoos.

Today there are only 25,000 pairs of these unique beautiful birds. About 15,000 pairs nest in Russia (most in Primorsky Territory), 4,500-5,000 pairs in Japan, about 1,000 pairs each in China, Ireland, Great Britain, 550 pairs in the USA. The bird is listed in the Red Book, hunting for it is strictly prohibited. But there are facts that during molting and ducks, drakes fall under a bullet by accident, hunters confuse them with other species.

The favorite habitats of the mandarin duck are forest lakes and mountain rivers. In some countries, they can be seen in city parks. Where mandarin ducks live, there should be many old decks, branches. This is the only duck species that makes nests in trees, sometimes at a height of up to 6 m. They jump well from such a great height and from birth teach this art to chicks. Tangerines love quiet wilderness places with windbreaks, old trees, which have hollows. Sometimes they settle near the fields, periodically raiding crops. Since the species is not numerous, it does not cause much harm to agriculture.

Waterfowl mandarin ducks cannot do without water bodies. They swim beautifully, keeping their bodies high above the water. Diving is extremely rare, only when injured. They fly quickly and quite high, rise into the air from the surface of the water almost vertically.

What does the mandarin duck eat? Birds eat seeds of plants, rice and barley grains that are found in the fields. The duck also likes snails, small fish, insects, acorns, and aquatic vegetation.

Natural enemies that threaten the mandarin duck are small predators that live in their habitat. The raccoon dog causes the most harm. This animal hunts chicks and adult birds, eats eggs. On the water, the otter is a danger, foxes, birds of prey hunt ducks. Nests in the hollows where the mandarin duck lives can ruin squirrels.

Ducks are thermophilic, they cannot stand temperatures below 5 ° C. Little ducklings can die in the cold summer. In September, the mandarin duck goes to warm lands, and returns to its usual habitats quite early, at the end of March. Immediately after their return, the birds begin mating games.

Breeding ducks

The mating season for ducks of this breed begins in April. Males actively fight among themselves to get the attention of females. Couples form persistent, for life. If one of the partners dies, the other never finds a replacement for him. After mating, the female goes to look for a nest, and the male faithfully follows her. Basically, this species settles in hollows, very rarely builds a nest on the ground.

Having found a suitable place in the tree trunk, the mandarin duck lays eggs in it. Laying begins in April. There are 7-12 testicles in one nest of a duck. The female incubates them on her own, the male obtains and brings food to his duck. The incubation lasts for a month, the terms can fluctuate within 1-2 days.

A few days after hatching, chicks begin to jump out of the nest on their own. They can fall from a height of several meters, but nothing happens to them. Parents lead the ducklings to the pond and feeding grounds. Like all waterfowl, mandarin ducklings float freely on the water from birth. At the slightest danger, the brood, together with the duck, hides in the thicket. The drake can distract the enemy by himself, thus saving the family.

Chicks become adults at the age of 40-45 days from birth. They can already fly and leave the parental nest. In the same period, the mandarin duck changes to its new outfit, a little nondescript, like that of a female. Males form separate flocks and try to hide from prying eyes. In September, when the molt is over, the males again put on multi-colored plumage. On the same days, mandarin ducks fly from cold regions to warmer regions to return to their nesting sites next spring.

Breeding at home

Mandarin ducks, like decorative birds, were bred in China in ancient times. For any nobleman it was a matter of prestige to keep these handsome men in their pond. The amazing and rare white duck, which is very difficult to find in nature, was especially appreciated. The mandarin duck in China is a symbol of fidelity, because birds are often presented for weddings. Now you can also buy small beautiful ducks, although they are quite expensive and rare on the market. Below are the rules for keeping mandarin ducks at home.

Poultry house arrangement

It is desirable to bring the living conditions for mandarin ducks as close as possible to natural ones. In summer they can be kept in an aviary, in winter - only in a poultry house, ducks do not tolerate low temperatures. Space requirements are as follows:

  • The aviary is made quite spacious, at least 10-15 m² for one pair.
  • From above, the aviary is closed with a net so that the tangerines do not fly away.
  • Inside, there must be trees or thick poles on which the duck will sit comfortably.
  • Be sure to put a mini pool or a large container of water.
  • Nests in the house should be made not on the ground, but at a height of 1.5-2 m, they can be attached to the wall or to the perch. The size of the nest is 40 cm wide and the same height.

The Chinese mandarin duck can easily get along with other species of birds, but not with its relatives, therefore it is not recommended to keep more than one pair in one aviary. If there are two of them, the males will periodically arrange fights with each other, so that the females may stop laying eggs.

Feeding ducks

When choosing a diet, you need to take into account what the mandarin duck eats in nature. Here is the approximate composition of the food a duck needs:

  • Proteins of animal origin (bloodworms, dry daphnia, snails, small fish, minced meat and fish).
  • Chopped greens (duckweed, nettle, quinoa, dandelion and other varieties of grass).
  • Wet mash with vegetables (boiled porridge, grated carrot, pumpkin, squash).
  • Cereals (rice and barley grains, wheat, corn cobs).
  • Oilseed cake.
  • Acorns.

Normal feeding and diet should include a fifth of crude proteins. If there are fewer of them, mandarin ducks will not breed, and if they are oversupplied, they can get sick. Food should always be fresh. In winter, when there is no greenery, it is worth preparing silage for the ducks, grass flour, and giving more fresh vegetables.

Breeding

Mandarin ducks are not too willing to breed at home, therefore breeding them is difficult. The male does not always fertilize eggs efficiently. The mandarin duck very often does not sit on the clutch for a full month, as a result of which the embryos may die. These reasons led to the fact that at present they practice laying eggs of representatives of this breed under other types of domestic ducks.

Rural tourism. Mandarin ducks in Sergey Kornienko's bird park

Decorative ducks are a wonderful decoration for a home garden. But don't forget that they are wild birds. In different countries of the world, they are kept in zoos and on ponds to keep the species from extinction. If you do not have appropriate conditions for keeping, it is better not to settle birds of this breed at home, because they love freedom most of all.

How long does a mandarin duck live? In nature, its average life span is 10 years, at home, birds live a little longer, since there is no threat from predators, some diseases can be cured.

Mandarin duck is a small bird from the genus of forest ducks of the duck family. Mostly lives in the Far East. Acclimatized in Ireland, USA and UK.

Mandarin duck weighs from 0.5 to 0.7 kg. Wing length: 2.1 - 2.45 cm. The male has a bright mating outfit: a crest on his head and bright plumage. The duck is also called "Mandarin" and "Chinese".

Its description can be formulated as follows: small bright and mobile bird... This duck was included in the Red Book as rare, so the mandarin duck is grown in special institutions.

Habitat

Initially, the mandarin duck was an inhabitant of the countries of East Asia and the territory of the Russian Far East. There are especially many of its nests in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur Region, as well as on the territory of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.

Where does the mandarin duck live now?

Most of its area of \u200b\u200bdistribution is on Russian territory. Of the 25,000 registered pairs of mandarin ducks, 15,000 live here.

And only in autumn does she leave Russia to spend the winter where it is warmer and the temperature does not drop below 5 degrees.

In winter, the mandarin duck, overcoming long distances, settles in parts of Japan and China. The mandarin duck returns to its native land before all the snow melts. It does not nest in all countries of East Asia. For example, in Korea, the mandarin duck never nests, although it flies by.

Now the range of this bird has expanded, and it lives in small numbers even in Ireland, England and the USA. True, in small quantities. About a thousand pairs nest in Ireland, also in England. In America, there are about 550 pairs.

Appearance

We can definitely say that the mandarin duck is the most beautiful duck on earth. In any case, it stands out extraordinarily among the forest ducks, to the genus of which it belongs. The drake is especially different. Its striking plumage contrasts with the restrained colors of the wild.

The male has feathers of all colors of the rainbow... It is for the beauty of their plumage that they are so loved in China. The female is not as bright as the drake, but still she is beautiful in her own way. Its inconspicuous plumage serves as a camouflage while hatching chicks.

Drake sheds before winter and looks very different in cold weather. Due to the nondescript winter plumage, it is often mistaken for a different species and shot down.

It is believed that it is because of the brightness of the plumage that these ducks got their name. Officials of noble birth were called mandarins in China, as well as in Vietnam and Korea. Their clothes were distinguished by splendor and splendor. The outfit of a male mandarin duck caused just such an association. Perhaps also because beautiful pairs of these ducks were found in the ponds of the emperor of China and the Chinese nobility.

Nutrition

The mandarin duck eats in the same place where it settles... Pairs of these ducks prefer sheltered places with water bodies: rivers and lakes. Especially the mandarin duck loves to settle along the banks of rivers surrounded by forests or rocks. She prefers to nest in the forests in tall trees.

Food consists of plant seeds, including aquatic ones. A feature of tangerines is that they love acorns, which contain many useful substances. From the aquatic environment, they get themselves mollusks, fish eggs and small river inhabitants.

They also do not refuse plant food - they use aquatic and terrestrial plants. Like all birds, they love worms. In artificial breeding, the mandarin duck feeds on wheat, barley, corn, rice and other cereals. Animal protein in the form of minced meat and fish is also added to her diet.

Reproduction

The most beautiful mandarin duck is monogamous. Male and female remain faithful to each other until the end of the season... The male helps the female when she incubates eggs, gets food for her. Before that, in early spring, “matchmaking” begins. The drake chooses a female and, with its beautiful plumage, tries to win her favor.

He describes circles on the surface of the water and puffs up a tuft. Usually, several males seek the attention of a female at once, she also chooses the best. The mandarin duck arranges nests high in the hollows of trees. And almost a month incubates from seven to 14 small white eggs.

When ducklings are born, they are very active and learn to swim and dive almost from birth. They not only bathe, but also learn to get their own food: small insects and wild grass seeds. After about six weeks, the ducklings can fly.

Character and lifestyle

The mandarin duck, about which various interesting facts are known, lives in the mountains near the rivers, in the mountain forests. This is her natural habitat. She swims well, while keeping on the water with dignity with a raised tail. Dives only in emergency situations, for example, when injured. Flies fast and agile. She often sits on a tree or rock.

It is forbidden to hunt for it, as it is listed in the Red Book as a rare species.

It is bred in parks as an ornamental bird.

Albinos are found among mandarin ducks

The duck differs from others in some features, including:

  • The swinging (duck) mandarin duck does not quack, it only whistles softly;
  • During the mating season, the male has a very bright color, and then sheds, acquiring a calmer plumage. During this period, they gather in the thickets and hide there;
  • Ducks have strong enough wings, which helps them to climb vertically;
  • Mandarin duck does not like to dive, does it only when necessary;
  • It has sharp claws that help to stick to tree branches.

Cases of mutations in mandarin duck have been recorded, the most common of which is a white-plated duck.

The most beautiful bird

- it is very beautiful. This duck is one of the most beautiful birds on our planet. In this article I would like to talk a little about it, about its natural habitats, about its reproduction, about its characteristics and external qualities. Also, at the end of the article, we will show several photos and pictures of this amazing bird.

Most likely, it got its name in honor of the emperors and other very influential officials of China, who at one time were called "Chinese mandarins". These officials wore very bright orange clothing.

- the bird is very small. Its live weight reaches 0.4-0.8 kilograms. Her appearance cannot but cause delight. The most beautiful are, of course, the drakes. Drakes have wonderful multi-colored plumage. The chest is purple, the wings are orange, the back is greenish-blue, the tail is green with overflow. There is also a mass of black and white stripes on the body. On the head of the drake there is a very beautiful crest. The beak is bright orange. The legs are short and orange.

The female looks much more modest, but this does not take away her grace. Its plumage is predominantly gray-brown in color, however, on the wings there are green feathers with a characteristic shimmer. The weight of females is slightly less than that of males.

The bird dives very well, swims and walks on land. She also has a very maneuverable flight. She can rise into the sky both from the ground and from the water, while maintaining an upright position. The voice of the mandarin duck is very different from that of wild and domestic ducks.

Mandarin ducks arrive in Russia in Primorsky Krai, in early spring, when there is snow. There they nest and breed. There is a lot of competition among males, as a rule, 2-3 males apply for one female. Of course, fights are not complete.

It has no commercial value, but the population of wild mandarin ducks is constantly decreasing. Most likely this is due to the deterioration of the ecology in its permanent habitats.

Mandarin ducks habitat

The habitat of the mandarin duck in the wild is relatively wide. They occupy the entire Sikhote-Alin mountain system in China and some part of the southern coastal area in Russia. Ducks prefer to choose a forest area where the river flows. Deaf forest bogs and lakes also do not ignore.

Mandarin ducks can even live near people. They perfectly nest and reproduce there.

In addition to the seaside region, these birds inhabit some of the eastern parts of the North American continent. In Europe, the mandarin duck does not live in the wild, but it is kept as an ornamental bird that decorates very well the artificial reservoirs of parks and gardens.

Mandarin duck: reproduction

As mentioned above, among the drakes there is a rather tough competition during the mating season. After winning the duels of one male, he mates with the female.

These birds arrange nests in trees, at a height of up to 20 meters. Ducks lay 6-15 small cream-colored eggs in their nests. The incubation period lasts 29-31 days (usually 30). Little ducklings are raised by both parents. All summer is spent on education. Parents protect their offspring from predators, very actively drive them away, feed their children. Mandarin ducks are very caring parents.

In summer, beautiful males molt and shed their very beautiful plumage and become very similar to females.

Mandarin ducks fly to the south quite late, when the first frosts have already hit and the first snow will fall.

Mandarin duck is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, however, fortunately, they are not threatened with extinction, moreover, it is rather widely bred at home and used for decorative purposes.

Home decorative mandarin duck is almost impossible to buy anywhere, and if possible, the price will be very significant. Although, can such beauty be bought for money ?!

Mandarin duck photo

See below for a photo of this amazing bird. In the photo you can more or less really appreciate the beauty of the mandarin duck.

Mandarin duck is a small forest duck, with a maximum weight of just over half a kilogram, of amazing beauty. It is also called the Chinese duck. The mandarin duck got its name from the important people of China, tangerines, who wear flashy orange outfits. The exotic fruit has nothing to do with this name.

Mandarin duck has bright colors and weighs no more than 0.5 kg

The adorable rare waterfowl is not allowed to hunt. It is listed in the Russian Red Book and is guarded by wildlife defenders. I want to admire the tangerine. A panel or slide, where the most graceful duck is captured in all its glory, will decorate the interior and emphasize the taste of the owner of the house.

Unfortunately, in winter, the color of the mandarin duck changes. Males become inconspicuous, huddle in flocks, prefer to hide in thickets. Hunters often confuse a duck with other species and shoot it by mistake.

Raccoon dogs, squirrels, martens destroy the nests. Snakes and birds of prey are also enemies of the mandarin duck. The decline in the number of the unique miniature duck is affected by the deterioration of the ecological background. Roads are laid along the rivers, forests are cut down.

The population has no commercial value. About 25 thousand pairs of mandarin duck live on the planet.

Mandarin duck are endangered

Habitat

The bird lives in East Asia. In Russia, habitats are fertile regions of the Far East, Khabarovsk Territory, Amur Region and Sakhalin Island.

The snow does not have time to completely melt, and mandarin ducklings are already in a hurry to summer habitats. At the end of September, after a significant cold snap, the duck leaves the north of the range and flies off to winter in the warm regions of Japan and China. She chooses forest valleys near mountain rivers, taiga thickets and windbreaks.

She uses a hollow in a tree under her dwelling. The height above the ground can be up to 15 meters. This is the only species of ducks that settle on branches.

In countries where the tangerine does not live in the wild, it is bred to decorate water bodies in gardens and parks. Having left city zoos, birds can create new populations. Interesting facts have emerged from the data taken from the file at the Ringing Center. A drake, ringed in Moscow and disappearing after 3 years, was discovered 800 km away in Dnepropetrovsk. In Germany, a female who flew away from the Nuremberg Zoo was shot in Karelia. She covered more than 2 thousand km.

Beautiful ducks at different times served as a muse for creative people. On prints and paintings, in the storylines of embroideries and appliques, a mandarin duck is depicted. Pictures and poems were dedicated to her.

It is very difficult to buy a decorative Chinese duck for home. Pet stores rarely offer such a specimen at a high price.

Tangerines occupy a special place in folk art

Bright color of plumage

Especially beautiful appearance of males during the mating season. The bright plumage of the drake evokes enthusiastic exclamations. The male's head looks large due to the long colored feathers on it and the neck, forming a gentleman's set of sideburns and a protruding forelock. Copper-red, shiny blue-green, bright red, orange, white feathers form a variegated live pattern.

When the bird folds its wings, wide blades protrude upward from the terminal feather on each side. The legs are dressed in orange "stockings", the beak is bright red. The combination of rich colors in the plumage creates an amazing image.

The female is graceful, looks much more modest than a drake, because she should be invisible when hatching chicks. The duck is smaller in weight than the male. Its simple coloring creates advantages, allows you to hide from predators. Beautiful, iridescent green feathers on the wings of the female among the gray-brown plumage give a special charm.

The male mandarin duck acquires bright plumage during the mating season

Reproduction

By describing circles on the water surface around the duck, the male tries to please her. He spreads all his feathers, giving weight to his image, bristles a tuft on his head. On the shore, the drake flirts with the female, fingering her feathers with care.

Lively males in the fight for the duck arrange serious fights. Having won the right to mate, the drake no longer leaves the female.

The most colorful duck on earth breeds chicks in a high hollow of a tree growing near a forest lake or a large river with overgrown banks, channels and islets.

Waterfowl chicks are supposed to plunge into the water, barely fledging. The offspring, incubated by the duck for four weeks, selflessly rushes down, obediently following the command of the mother. The desperate flight from the nest ends with a landing on the weak membranes of the legs and still fragile wings. Almost weightless paratroopers covered in downy ducklings begin to get acquainted with the world around them.

The female mandarin duck has inconspicuous plumage

Together with their mother, the chicks rush to a nearby reservoir. There is always food along the shore. For voracious ducklings, butterflies, midges, small crustaceans and worms are very tasty. They do not get tired of pecking at roots, plant shoots and other food. Sensing danger, kids rush to hide in the thickets or hide under water. After a month and a half, young shoots rise on the wing.

All the time, while the duck is incubating the children, the male protects the nest, carefully brings food to his friend. Tangerines are engaged in raising chicks together. They are busy with this all the summer months: they actively drive away predators from the offspring, get food, feed the children.

Birds do not choose the same nesting site twice. Unfavorable weather conditions in early June can have a negative impact on breeding. Mandarin chicks are acutely aware of the cold.

A duck can form a nest on the ground amidst impenetrable thickets only as a last resort, if it does not find a suitable place in the tree.

Mandarin females are reluctant to build nests on the ground

Chinese ducks behavior

A catchy appearance is not the only characteristic of the bird. She makes melodious sounds. Quacking of other duck breeds contrasts with the whistle or low squeak of mandarin ducklings. Usually not very "talkative" birds do not stop communicating during the breeding season.

Coastal cliffs or trees are a favorite habitat for duck. Flooded logs, branches hanging over a pond, an overgrown shore, a tangerine is a good shelter in case of danger.

The bird takes off almost vertically. Easily and quickly maneuvers. Move freely from branch to branch.

The duck swims, sitting high on the water, raising its tail. Doesn't like diving, sinks under water when absolutely necessary, if wounded or feels danger.

An interesting and beautiful description of the duck is given in a poem by an unknown author:

Mandarin duck - Small miracle, Vivid picture On the pond page. Sails quietly On the mirror surface, As if a dandy, As if on a parade. Over the water maples In a fox robe They look in surprise And drop their leaves.

Chinese duck can take off vertically from where it stands

Marital fidelity

Chinese ducks, having chosen a pair, are never separated, they are always kept together. They take off from the ground or water surface and soar into the sky synchronously.

A female with a drake symbolizes a happy family, is one of the images of feng shui. It is believed that to attract a faithful companion to fate, you need to have a couple of mandarin ducks in the apartment.

Description of the facts, which mentions the most faithful duck representative, is contained in many in Chinese literature. The bird is revered by oriental culture as a symbol of family well-being, he is she (in Chinese yang - yuan).

What the mandarin duck eats

Plants and small representatives of the animal world can serve as food for mandarin duck. Seeds of various grasses, shrubs, grains, aquatic plants are eaten by birds. Acorns are a favorite food. Birds collect them on the slopes of hills or on the water, perching on oak branches. In the fall, you can see flocks of ducks flying into the fields sown with winter crops.

Food of animal origin: insects, worms, molluscs, small fish, snails.

Chinese duck is looking for worms and insects on the ground

Features of mandarin duck

In the wild, the mandarin duck lives on average for 10 years. It is actively exterminated by predatory representatives of the range. Home conditions with proper care can extend the existence of the original bird up to 25 years.

This bright bird from the Red Book will be a worthy decoration of the city park area. The bird quietly gets along with other feathered inhabitants of the reservoir - a fact.

Summarizing the features of the Chinese duck or mandarin duck, we note the most interesting:

  • multi-colored, bright color of the plumage of the drake;
  • nesting in the hollow of a tree at a height of 6 to 15 meters;
  • unusual voice;
  • flight maneuverability;
  • loyalty to the chosen pair.

Mandarin girls choose a mate for life

There are facts that are interesting for curious people to read.

Breeding research is underway to develop new species of mandarin duck. Fact: The white form obtained from scientific work is known to a limited number of people.

At home, the female often does not want to sit on the eggs for a whole month, and they have to be placed under a more diligent brood hen, or artificially hatched.

In addition to the mandarin duck, the aquarium fish and fish that live in fresh waters of China have the same name.

Sad facts confirm the reduction of individuals in their natural range. The disappearance of the mandarin duck is observed in the Amur rivers and taiga forests of Primorye.

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