What does a mandarin bird look like? Mandarin duck where an interesting tangerine bird lives
Squad - Anseriformes
Family - Duck
Genus/Species - Aix galericuda. Mandarin duck
Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Length: 43-46 cm.
Wingspan: 70 cm.
Weight: male - 630 g, female - 510 g.
REPRODUCTION
Puberty: in year.
Nesting period: April June.
Number of eggs: 9-12.
Incubation: 29-30 days.
Feeding chicks: 40-45 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habits: The mandarin duck (see photo of the bird) is shy, but sociable. Lives in the forests.
Food: seeds, nuts, plants, sometimes shellfish and insects.
Lifespan: in nature 3-6 years, in captivity - up to 12 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The Mandarin duck is one of 13 species of ducks. Its closest relative is the Carolina duck.
Mandarin duck. Video (00:00:45)
Nowadays, mandarin ducks are increasingly being raised at home as ornamental birds, so there is hope 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 populations that are settled in Europe.
HABITS
In their homeland, in the Far East, these small ducks live in small flocks on the coasts of forested mountain rivers and lakes. They prefer dense thickets where tree branches hang over the water. The naturally timid bird more readily hides in bushes along the banks of rivers, from where, in case of danger, it can slip into the water or unnoticed go ashore. At the end of summer, it goes to flooded rice fields, swamps and other open, wet areas to feed. Mandarin ducks can also often be seen in parks, coastal bush or in the water. Often these ducks overcome their natural distrust of people and become almost tame. Mandarin ducks are active in the morning and evening, when they comb rivers and lakes in search of food. During the day they rest on the shore or in nearby trees. Nests are made in hollows at different heights, sometimes up to 10 meters; less often on earth.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
Although mandarin ducks are primarily herbivores, they will eat almost anything, from seeds to shellfish and small fish. At the end of summer, populations of ducks living in Asia often fly to rice fields. In Great Britain and Central Europe, the basis of the spring and summer diet of mandarin ducks is aquatic plants and insects. In autumn, these birds happily eat acorns, beech fruits and chestnuts. Mandarin ducks, swimming, collect food from the surface of the water, or, diving, catch aquatic insects and small fish.
REPRODUCTION
In autumn, male mandarin ducks dress up in unusually beautiful plumage. Mandarin ducks can undoubtedly be called the most beautiful ducks on Earth! Beautiful plumage is very important for a bird, as it serves to attract a female in order to create a pair with her in the spring of next year.
Swimming on the water in front of females, males perform rather complex courtship dances. When the female chooses a partner, she swims up to him and stays close. A new pair is formed every year. The female goes in search of a place for a nest. Usually it chooses a hollow located near water. In mid-April, the female lays one egg per day for 9-12 days. She incubates the eggs herself. A few days after hatching, the ducklings jump out of the nest onto the ground and are led by their mother to the feeding area. After 6 weeks, the chicks become independent.
OBSERVATIONS OF THE MANDARNINE DUCK
The Mandarin duck comes from the Far East. It was introduced to many European countries. In England, where these ducks have lived in the wild since 1930, today there are up to 1,000 pairs that nest there. Mandarin ducks are close relatives of Carolina ducks. A male mandarin duck in breeding plumage is even brighter than a male Carolina duck. It is easily recognized by its bright orange “mirrors” on its wings. A female mandarin duck in a modest plumage can be easily distinguished from other ducks by the white spots around and behind the eyes.
GENERAL PROVISIONS. DESCRIPTION
The Mandarin duck has long been bred for beauty, including in Russia and Ukraine.
Probably, this small wood duck has no equal in its beauty in the world. Only the male has luxurious plumage, while the female has more modest colors. Inhabits cedar-deciduous forests in the south of the Russian Far East and deciduous forests of Japan, Korea and northern China. The nest is built in tree hollows. There are a dozen, sometimes one and a half dozen eggs in a clutch. The hatched chicks themselves jump down to the ground from any height. They feed on mollusks, worms, fish eggs, and seeds of aquatic plants.
- The Mandarin duck is the only duck that cannot interbreed with other duck species. The number of chromosomes it has is less than the number of chromosomes in representatives of other species.
- The main reasons for the decline in the species' numbers are agricultural development of lowlands and deforestation on river banks.
- The male, having changed his breeding plumage to a normal one, becomes similar to the female. It can only be distinguished by its red beak.
- Previously, 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 ducks look for a new partner every year.
- Mandarin ducks make 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 identified by the shape of her head, thin white rings around her eyes, and long white feathers behind her eyes. The female Carolina duck looks similar to her. During the mating and nesting seasons, the male is brightly colored, has a multi-colored crest on his head and expressive orange “mirrors” on his wings. For several days after hatching, the chicks remain in the hollow and then jump out onto the ground.
- Mandarin duck used to be common here
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
Lives in part of the Far East, in Russia and China. Today, the largest populations of the species live in Japan and Central Europe.
PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION
The primary number of mandarin ducks has decreased significantly due to the destruction of forests in the Far East and the active fishing of ornamental birds. The Mandarin duck is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Mandarin ducks. Video (00:02:37)
My Mandarin ducks)) 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 cleans its plumage. Video (00:01:09)
The mandarin duck (lat. Aix galericulata) is a small bird of the genus of wood ducks of the Anatidae family. The Mandarin duck lives in the Far East. The mandarin duck is a small duck weighing 0.4-0.7 kg. The mating plumage of the male mandarin duck stands out among other ducks due to its bright plumage color. 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”. The mandarin duck is found only 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 riverine mountain forests. The mandarin duck swims well and sits high in the water with its tail slightly raised. She rarely dives, only when she is wounded. 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. Mandarin ducks also feed on mollusks, worms and fish eggs.
The mandarin duck is a small forest bird. It is also known as the Chinese duck. It is noteworthy that it is prohibited to hunt this bird in Russia, as it is listed in the Russian Red Book.
It should be noted that the tangerine fruit has nothing to do with the name of this bird. It got its name because Chinese rich and important people liked to dress it in bright orange outfits.
An interesting feature is that The color of the tangerine changes in winter. The males become less bright and begin to hide in the thickets. Such camouflage very often plays a cruel joke on ducks, as hunters mistake them for ordinary ducks and shoot them.
It should be noted that the mandarin duck is one of the symbols of Chinese culture. The image of this bird can be found on vases, paintings and panels that date back to the Middle Ages. It is noteworthy that this is an ornamental bird that is settled in artificial ponds and reservoirs.
General characteristics of the species
The Mandarin duck itself is small and weighs about 5.5 kg. The body length is about 40 cm. It is noteworthy that The plumage of males during the mating season is particularly colorful. The beak of such birds is red, and the paws are yellow. If we talk about the color of the plumage, it varies from white, orange, red to green, purple and brown.
Compared to males, females are not as bright and colorful. They are a little smaller on their own. In addition, females have a gray head, white belly and olive-brown back.
The mandarin bird flies as well as it swims.. In addition, it also moves very quickly on land. The voice of this duck is atypical; it makes sounds that are very similar to a quiet whistle or not squeaking.
Interestingly, it is one of the few breeds of ducks that likes to live in trees. Sometimes mandarin duck hollows can be located at a height of six meters.
Habitat
Initially, the settlement area was limited to East Asia. However, over time, the bird settled throughout Russia. In particular, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories, the bird can also be seen on Sakhalin and the Amur Region. Since these are migratory birds, they winter in Japan or China.
Mandarin duck diet
In the wild, mandarin ducks feed on frogs and acorns. In addition, the mandarin duck also feeds on fish, beetles and algae.
If you want to breed such birds at home, then you should carefully consider their diet. First of all, in the diet of mandarin ducks you should include components such as:
What features do mandarin ducks have?
In the wild, ducks can live up to 10 years. However, very often they are destroyed by predators. If we talk about domestic mandarin ducks, then under good conditions they can live up to 25 years.
This colorful bird is a real decoration for park areas. Besides, she gets along well with other feathered inhabitants of water bodies.
Breed Features:
- Variegated plumage;
- Unusual voice;
- Fast and maneuverable flight;
- Commitment to one partner throughout life.
Features of reproduction
During the mating season, the male writes circles around the female, thereby trying to please her. He spreads his feathers as wide as possible and strongly puffs up the crest on his head. The most lively males can stage fierce battles for the female.
It is noteworthy that female mandarin ducks breed their offspring in the hollow of a tall tree. The female incubates the offspring for four weeks. Small chicks can feed on midges, crustaceans, worms and butterflies. When they sense danger, the ducklings begin to hide under the water or in the thickets. After a month and a half, the offspring flies. While the eggs are incubating, the male constantly brings food for the female and protects their nest.
It should be noted that these birds do not choose the same nesting place. In addition, unfavorable weather conditions can have a negative impact on reproduction. Mandarin chicks cannot tolerate cold.
Mandarin duck behavior
A bright and memorable appearance is not the last feature of the bird. Favorite places for these birds to settle are coastal rocks and trees. Ducks use submerged logs and branches hanging to the shore as shelter. It is noteworthy that Mandarin duck takes off almost vertically, while performing his maneuvers with absolute ease.
It should be noted that this bird swims sitting high in the water and slightly raising its tail. She practically doesn’t dive, and if she does, it’s only when absolutely necessary.
Is there marital fidelity between these birds?
Chinese ducks choose a mate once and for life. Therefore, in Chinese culture there is a belief that for family happiness one should keep a pair of tangerines in the house. In Eastern culture, these birds are a symbol of family well-being.
How to breed mandarin ducks at home?
Despite the fact that this is an exotic bird, if desired, it can be raised at home. It is noteworthy that in the summer these birds do not require any special care. It is enough to organize a good pond with trees or posts. But for nesting birds need the most natural conditions possible.
In winter, it is very important that the birds do not become hypothermic. Although tangerines tolerate frost quite well. However, it is best to keep birds in insulated enclosures with all the necessary conditions. In winter, the water in the pool should be slightly warmed up.
However, growing tangerines at home, you may encounter problems like this:
- The female may refuse to incubate eggs until the end of the term.
- The female may abandon her brood.
- Difficulties with diet may arise in winter.
Since ancient times, the Mandarin duck has been considered a symbol of Eastern culture. She was depicted on many objects (paintings, vases, dishes). Listed in the Red Book of Russia. Belongs to the genus Anatidae, the family of wood ducks. Hunting them is prohibited.
Why is the mandarin duck called that?
The name of the birds is associated with the bright color of the males. Similar bright outfits were worn by Chinese noble officials - mandarins. The duck lives in China, Japan, Korea, the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur Region and Sakhalin. By winter, birds living in the northern regions fly to the south of Japan and China.
Mandarin ducks are medium-sized birds, size about 50 cm, weight up to 800 g. The wingspan is about 60 cm. They live in small flocks. The plumage of males is bright. The color of the female is more modest in gray-olive shades, she has a crest on her head and a white belly. The size and weight of the male and female are almost the same. Ducks fly and dive well, and move quickly on land. Takes off vertically. The voice doesn't sound like a duck's quack. Ducks make a peculiar whistle, sometimes similar to a squeak. In nature, ducks do not live long, no more than 6 years, and they often become prey to predators.
We are all very familiar with the inhabitants of households - ducks. However, the duck family is known not only for ordinary ducks: among the representatives of this “family” there are unusually beautiful ones, called “mandarin ducks”.
The Mandarin duck belongs to the genus of wood ducks. Why were they called tangerines? It turns out that a long time ago in China, colorfully dressed rich nobles were called by a similar name (“tangerines”). So the duck, which received such a bright color from nature, also began to be named in honor of those very rich and noble people.
How to distinguish a Mandarin duck?
These are quite miniature birds among their relatives. The body length of an adult mandarin duck is from 40 to 48 centimeters. A duck weighs, on average, from 400 to 700 grams.
The most important thing in the appearance of these birds is, of course, their motley plumage. But it is worth noting that only male mandarin ducks have bright colors. Females, on the contrary, are painted in rather dull gray tones. Male mandarin ducks have black plumage on the dorsal part of the body, the feathers below are white, the breast is purple, and the feathers on the sides have a fawn tint with a pattern. On the head of males, the plumage is tricolor: red, white and red with a violet-greenish tint.
Where does the mandarin duck live?
During the summer months, mandarin ducks live in the Far Eastern region of Russia, and for the winter they go to the southern regions of Japan or China.
What natural areas are suitable for mandarin ducks to live in? What are the features of the lifestyle and behavior of these birds?
Mandarin ducks love to settle along the banks of small rivers, especially those densely overgrown with trees and bushes. They are also attracted to mountain forests and rivers.
Ducks gather in small flocks only during the period after the chicks hatch, and the rest of the time they live alone or in pairs. These birds lead a rather modest lifestyle - they do not like to attract attention to themselves. This is evidenced even by their whistle, barely noticeable among the chirping of other birds. Mandarin ducks make their sounds rarely and very quietly.
Its small size allows it to deftly maneuver among tree branches and quickly jump from one branch to another. Mandarin ducks feel free in flight; they can make sharp turns and other complex movements in the air. To take off, they don’t even need to run up; they rise into the air right from the spot, thanks to the strong flapping of their wings.
Diet of mandarin ducks
When the mandarin bird gets hungry, it can eat seeds, fruits and berries of fruit plants. These colorful birds are not averse to eating nuts and acorns plucked directly from the branches. Sometimes fish, small frogs or small invertebrate animals come to them for “lunch”.
Breeding offspring from mandarin ducks
The mating season for mandarin ducks is February – March. How do males attract females? Of course, with their bright “clothes”. Apparently, this is why nature endowed male tangerines with such colorful feathers.
The female lays eggs in the nest. One clutch contains, on average, from 9 to 15 eggs. The eggs are incubated by either the male or the female, taking turns.
Little chicks are born quite developed and can immediately follow their mother. Baby mandarin ducks begin to fly 40 days after hatching from the egg.
Such a bright and beautiful miracle can hardly be found in nature; the mandarin duck has broken all records among waterfowl with its unusual, bright plumage. The Mandarin duck belongs to the genus of wood ducks; it is a small, colorful miracle that looks like a fairy-tale creature. It’s worth getting to know these beauties better and learning about how and where they live in nature.
Mandarin duck: description
Ducks cannot boast of a large size, but even with a relatively small body, they can be seen from afar due to their plumage. The mandarin duck is amazingly beautiful; the description of this beauty is worthy of attention. The bird's body is 40-50 cm long, and its weight does not even reach one kilogram (500-700 g). Wingspan - 60-70 cm.
The males are real beauties with bright plumage, the females look very poor compared to them, nature has painted them in gray and brown tones. Maybe nature intended this so that the duck could quietly hatch her ducklings, unnoticed by anyone, in her nest. Males are painted so beautifully and brightly in order to evoke sympathy from females.
Let's take a closer look at the “outfit” of the “men” tangerines. On their heads there are long feathers of three types, each type is colored in its own way: on the top of the head - red with purple-green edges, near the corners of the eyes - white, near the beak - red. But these are not all the colors that the male amazing duck can boast of. The bird's body is also painted in different colors: the top is black, the bottom is white, the chest is purple, the sides are fawn with a mesh pattern. The paws and beak are red.
The wings of birds deserve special attention; each of them has one wide feather, somewhat reminiscent of a sail. These bird “sails” are red in color with blue trim.
Where does it live in nature?
Where is the mandarin duck found in nature? The Red Book already has this species of birds on its pages, so there are not many of them left in the natural environment. Ducks live in the Far East; in Europe you can meet fugitives who have escaped from private property and settled in the wild. Those birds that live in the south are considered sedentary, while the northern inhabitants are migratory; they spend the winter in Japan and China.
Where does the mandarin duck prefer to live, where does this little miracle live? Their favorite places are the banks of forest rivers, on which many trees grow; to this condition we must also add that these banks must be rocky.
How do mandarin ducks behave in their natural habitat?
Mandarin ducks live in pairs or alone, but only after the chicks have hatched. For the winter they gather together in small flocks. These are very timid and cautious birds; it is very rare to hear their voice, similar to a quiet whistle.
Mandarin ducks are waterfowl, but, like ordinary birds, they love to flutter among tree branches. Due to their small size and weight, they jump freely and quickly over branches. In flight they feel light, take off without a running start, rising sharply into the air with the help of strong wing beats. In the air they can make sharp turns and other complex pirouettes. As for water procedures, birds swim willingly, but dive without enthusiasm, doing this only when danger threatens.
What do they eat?
The mandarin duck is mostly a vegetarian, although sometimes it likes to treat itself to a frog or fish; small invertebrates can also be eaten by colorful birds for lunch.
As for the plant part of the bird's menu, the favorite delicacy is acorns and nuts. The diet also includes berries, seeds and hard fruits of plants.
Mating season
From February to March, the Mandarin duck begins to choose a male for its mate. The mating season is not complete without courtship! During mating, the males' boasting of their beautiful plumage is the highest argument for the female. Trying to appear before the chosen one in the best possible light, male tangerines swim in circles near the females, showing their colors in all the colors of the rainbow. They often swim with their heads tilted so that their beak is half hidden in the water. Monogamy reigns in this species of birds, pairs are created, but next year there will again be new courtships and new partners; fidelity between “spouses” lasts only one season.
Divided into families, the birds choose a nest for themselves. Having settled in the hollow, the female begins to lay eggs; usually there are from 8 to 15 eggs in one clutch. Hatching lasts 30 days, the male and female take turns sitting on the eggs.
The chicks are born covered with gray fluff and are fully developed. An interesting fact is that the babies immediately leave the hollow and follow their mother. How is this possible at such a height? Everything turns out to be very simple - the chicks are light, they jump from the nest and glide through the air, like paratroopers, landing safely on the ground.
A mother duck leads her cubs to a pond; after just a month and a half, the little ducklings can fly. Dad, believing that his duty has been fulfilled, leaves the family. At this time, males and females separate, “women” raise their babies, and “men” gather in flocks for the molting period. They probably don’t want their ladies to see their gentlemen in an unsightly state during the change of plumage.
Unfortunately, the mortality rate among hatched chicks is too high, because so many dangers await them until they can fly. Natural enemies of mandarin ducks: fox, raccoon, raccoon dog, birds of prey. You can add protein to this list. These red fluffy creatures very often destroy ducks' nests. Parents cannot always protect their brood.
Mandarin Duck: Red Book
Mandarin ducks need human protection and protection; this rare species is listed in the Red Book; hunting these magical birds is prohibited!
The good news is that the number of this species of birds is at a high level, but only due to the fact that they feel great in captivity and are easily tamed. People are happy to have such beauties in their homes. In addition, the birds are very prolific and reproduce well.
Thanks to its beautiful multi-colored plumage, this type of duck is considered one of the most fashionable in ornamental poultry farming. With their painstaking work, breeders have achieved the birth of a new form - this is the white mandarin duck. True, there are still too few pure white handsome men.
