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Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata

2 photos

1 photographer

·Uncommon · 10 pts

Ornate introduced duck; males spectacular with orange sails and crest.

2 community photos of Mandarin Duck on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/250ss shutter, 300mm.

Not assessed on UK Red/Amber/Green List; feral population treated as non-native invasive species in some regions

Lifespan: 10–15 years in captivity; wild lifespan poorly documented but estimated at 8–12 years
Size & Weight: 41–49 cm, wingspan 65–75 cm; 330–490 g
Habitat: Sheltered freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation and overhanging trees for nesting.
UK Distribution: Feral populations established in southern England, particularly around the Thames Valley, Surrey, and Hampshire; present year-round but numbers fluctuate with escapes and releases from captive collections.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on dabbling ducks' typical fare including aquatic plants, seeds, acorns, and invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans.
Predators: Foxes, mink, pike (for ducklings), and birds of prey including Sparrowhawks and Buzzards; eggs vulnerable to corvids and rats.
Mating Season: October to May (displays and pair formation); eggs laid March to May
Breeding: Clutch of 9–12 eggs; incubation period 28–30 days; single brood per year; nests in tree cavities or nest boxes
Behaviour: Highly dimorphic, with males displaying elaborate iridescent plumage and striking head patterns. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including head-flicking and feather-raising. Unlike most ducks, they are relatively quiet and perch readily in trees.

Did You Know?

•Males grow distinctive 'sail-like' feathers on their backs during breeding season, which they can raise during courtship displays
•They are one of the few duck species that roosts and nests in trees, using cavities or artificial nest boxes rather than ground nests
•All UK Mandarin Ducks are descended from escaped or deliberately released captive birds; the species is native to East Asia
•Males undergo a dramatic eclipse moult in summer, becoming drab and similar to females before regaining bright plumage in autumn
•The UK's feral population has fluctuated dramatically, peaking at over 7,000 birds in the 1990s before declining due to management and natural attrition

Easily Confused With

Wood Duck — Wood Duck males have a green head with white facial stripes and a distinctive crest; females are browner with a white eye-ring, but lack the Mandarin's orange face and whiskers.

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Shutter

1/250ss

ISO Range

400–800

Aperture

f/f/8

Focal Length

300mm

🐦 Mandarin Duck

Bird

🐦 Mandarin Duck

Bird