© Mandarin Duck by Rob Miller Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata The beautiful Mandarin Duck was introduced from the Far East, where it can still be found in China, Japan, Korea and parts of Russia. © Mandarin duck with duckings ©Sandra Fretwell-Smith It escaped, or was deliberately released, from captivity. Mandarin Ducks are actually quite shy birds, often hiding beneath overhanging willows and usually only forming small flocks. How to Identify A beautiful, unmistakable duck, male Mandarins have elaborate plumage with orange plumes on their cheeks, orange ‘sails’ on their back and pale orange sides. The female of this little duck is dull in comparison, with a grey head, brown back and white eye-stripe. Where to Find Introduced from China and now found on park lakes and other wetlands with overhanging trees, mainly in South East England but also in the rest of England, Wales and Scotland. How People Can Help Mandarin Ducks were once widespread in the Far East, but the destruction of its natural forest habitat has caused a significant decline in populations: only 1,000 pairs now exist in Russia and China. Although the British population is introduced, it could serve to be a valuable ‘reservoir’ for this species in the future. Local Wildlife Trusts work hard to protect and manage the wetland habitats that our waterbirds need to survive; by volunteering you can help too, and you’ll make new friends and learn new skills along the way. Did you know? The Mandarin Duck nests in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. Shortly after the ducklings hatch, the female flies down and tries to coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree and made their way back to water, the father will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings. Key FactsLength: 45cmWingspan: 71cmWeight: 520-630g Donate Donate to help support Mandarin Duck and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds