Mandarin duck

Description

The male’s nuptial plumage consists of a prominent crest on its head, golden feathers on the ruff and a pair of bright yellow feathers in the shape of sails, which can be mounted on the flanks and which are purely ornamental in purpose. The non-breeder males and females are mainly olive brown in colour. 

Behaviour 

They are monogamous and build their nests in the hollows of tree trunks at a certain height. The two progenitors participate in the incubation of the eggs, although it is the mother that spends most of the time sat on the nest. The clutch consists of 8-10 eggs of a whitish cream colour that are incubated for 28-30 days. The chicks leave the nest very quickly after birth, being active and independent, although they follow the female who guards them and feeds for only a few days. 

Interesting facts

In Japanese and Chinese culture, the mandarin duck is a symbol of happiness and fidelity. Although these birds are well protected, massive exports and habitat destruction have greatly reduced their populations. On another note, specimens in captivity have managed to escape and reproduce in the wild in many other parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom.