Species Guide: Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata).
Family: Anatidae
APPEARANCE
Mandarin Ducks (scientific name Aix galericulata) are not native to the British Isles. They were introduced from China as ornamental birds for private collections, and escapees have gradually established themselves.
Significantly, male Mandarin Ducks have elaborate plumage and are arguably the most ornate ducks within the Anatidae family of birds.
Key features to look out for in the male are: Large orange feathers on their backs which almost have the appearance of sails. Plus, distinctive orange feathers on the side of their faces, together with a large white head patch. They have vibrant purple coloring on their chests, together with pale orange coloring on their flanks. The beak is plain pink.
Female Mandarin Ducks are much plainer than the Males. Key features to look out for in the female are: Principally brown and black-color with a grey head, plus a white-colored ring around the eye, and a stripe which extends behind it. The flanks are mottled and significantly lighter than the upper parts, and there is a white line on each side of the beak.
Diet
Mandarin Duck diet consists mainly of aquatic plants, for example, seeds, snails, insects, and small fish, varying by season. They prefer to feed at dawn or dusk and rest in trees during the day.
HABITAT
Mandarin Ducks are rather timid birds that prefer habitats with ample vegetation for cover. For example, wooded wetlands and marshes provide ideal living conditions.
Note: This map is provided as a rough illustration of animal distribution across the UK1, whereby light green indicates established populations.
Behavior
Mandarin Ducks breed in wooded areas near water bodies, such as shallow lakes, marshes, or ponds. During the spring season, these ducks typically choose tree cavities near water sources to establish their nests. Significantly, they usually lay a clutch of nine to twelve eggs in April or May. The tree cavities are sometimes above the ground. Consequently, after the ducklings hatch, their mother flies down and encourages them to jump from the nest. Once all the ducklings are safely on the ground, they follow her to the nearest water2.
Mandarin Duck Call:
Lars Lachmann, xeno-canto.org
Biometrics
| Wing Length | 223-249 mm |
| Body Weight | 500-700 grams |
| Longevity | 6-10 Years |
NATURAL PREDATORS
Predators of Mandarin Ducks include mammals and reptiles. Such as, Mink, Otters, Polecats & Grass Snakes.
Conservation Status
The greatest threat to Mandarin Ducks is the loss of habitat and competition from other duck species over nesting sites. However, this is not deemed significant, and the International Union For The Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has registered the Mandarin Duck as Least Concern from a Global Conservation Status.
Global
Conservation Status
Citations
- European Breeding Bird Atlas ↩︎
- DENG, QIU-XIANG, et al. “CONSPECIFIC BROOD PARASITISM AND NESTING BIOLOGY OF MANDARIN DUCKS (‘AIX GALERICULATA’) IN NORTHEASTERN CHINA.” The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, vol. 123, no. 3, 2011, pp. 479–85. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23033553. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025. ↩︎
- Featherbase ↩︎
