Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulata
Unlike most ducks, Mandarins are adept at perching in trees and the ducklings must jump from high tree cavities to reach the water below.
- Scientific name
- Aix galericulata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Anseriformes › Anatidae › Aix
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Dense, shrubby forested edges of rivers, lakes, and marshes with overhanging vegetation.
- Diet
- Omnivorous: primarily seeds, acorns, small fish, aquatic insects, and land snails.
- Range
- China, Japan, Korea, Eastern Russia, United Kingdom (Introduced), United States (Introduced)
- Size
- 41-49 cm in length with a 65-75 cm wingspan.
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Habitat destruction, drainage of wetlands, and poaching.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Observe from a distance to avoid causing stress or flushing them from their cover. Do not feed bread, as it causes 'angel wing' deformity and pollutes their habitat.
The mandarin duck ( Aix galericulata ) is a perching duck species found in East Asia. It is medium-sized, at 41–49 cm (16–19 in) long with a 65–75 cm (26–30 in) wingspan. It is closely related to the North American wood duck, the only other member of the genus Aix . Aix is an Ancient Greek word which was used by Aristotle to refer to an unknown diving bird, and galericulata is the Latin for a wig, derived from galerum , a cap or...
Photo: Alexis Lours, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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