A Short Introduction To The Mandarin Duck

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Aix galericulata. The Mandarin duck, indigenous to East Asia is a close relative to the Wood Duck which is commonly found here in the United States. Pictured above is a Mandarin drake (male duck) in full breeding plumage flashing his glorious copper-toned sail feathers (on the left) and a Mandarin duck (or hen, female duck) in her less eccentric coat. 

The Coat:

Before we explore the many features of this beautiful creature, we'll touch upon what is on everyones mind, his color. The drakes breeding plumage is exactly what you think it's for, getting the girls. However, once this colorful waterfowl seals (or does not seal) the deal with a lovely young duck he settles down and in late spring recedes to his eclipse plumage; a process during which he molts his glorious sail feathers and vibrant coat for a more humble, neutral attire. Important to this process, other than becoming less visually appealing, is the process by which his new feathers come in. 

Remigial moult is one of the crucial events in the annual life cycle of waterfowl as it is energetically costly, lasts several weeks, and is a period of high vulnerability due to flightlessness. In waterfowl, remigial moult can be considered as an energy-predation trade-off, meaning that heavier individuals would minimise the flightless period by increasing feather growth rate and energy expenditure. Alternatively, they could reduce body mass at the end of this period, thereby reducing wing-loading to increase flight capability (source).

Mandarin Drake in Eclipse Plumage source

The lengths to which animals (including humans) will stretch to reproduce is extremely interesting. Reproduction is so important to them that they will literally risk their lives once a year for an extended period of time (for several weeks during their remigial molt) just to an gain advantage in reproduction. I wonder what their thoughts are on this practice, it has apparently not drastically hindered their ability to exist.

The Courtship:

What you all came here to see, the magic happening (**THIS IS NOT PG).

Pay careful attention to the the drakes shaking, where it flaunts its tail feathers to impress the female. Also, notice his mock drinking at 0:39. As another male makes a move on the female, she hastily expresses that she has interests elsewhere. Entertaining his courtship, the female prepares herself for boarding (which you see when she lays flat like a plank). Following the public display of affection, the drake and hen express their overwhelming happiness in what seems to be a small dance number, followed by a quick bath to cleanse them of their dirty deeds. Bird mating, exhilarating.

The Home(s):

The Mandarin duck breeds in eastern Siberia, China, and Japan and winters in southern China and Japan. There is a small free-flying population in Britain stemming from the release captive bred ducksThe Food:

The History: