MANDARIN DUCK

Mandarin Ducks are regarded as one of the most beautiful ducks in the world with their fantastic colours. Unfortunately, Mandarins are very flighty and don't like too much handling. They will however thrive if left to themselves and breed rapidly.

Eclipse

The male in eclipse plumage is similar to the female but has a reddish bill and visible blue wing feathers.

Size

Typical Adult is 41-49cm (16-19in).

Food

Plants, seeds, nuts, snails, insects, fish, and feeds in rice paddies in the east.

Habitat/Range

Densely wooded areas near shallow lakes, marshes or ponds. Found in the Far East including south-eastern Russia, north-eastern China, Japan, and Taiwan. Winters further south in south-eastern China. Due to frequent escaped Mandarins from collections there is now a large feral population established in the UK. There are also isolated feral populations in Europe and the USA.

Breeding

April and May in UK.

Eggs

9 to 12 (creamy white colour) incubated by female only.

£90 per pair