Mandarin ducks belong to the class - birds, order - anseriformes, family - ducks, genus - forest ducks, species - mandarin ducks.
Mandarin ducks live in China, Japan and Eastern Siberia. For wintering they go to the southern regions of these regions. They are found in the UK due to the fact that they were imported. They prefer to live near water bodies.
Mandarin ducks are colored according to gender. The males are bright, in their coloration there are almost all the colors of the rainbow, with a predominance of orange-brown tones. The plumage of the female is more modest, in grayish tones. Surprisingly, when flying, both males and females acquire a blue-green color tone. In the drakes on the head the crest is long, multi-colored. Their wings are golden yellow, fan-shaped, the beak is small, coral red. The contrast of the female and male is clearly visible in the photo.
Mandarin ducks are manoeuvrable and fast flying. They easily, almost vertically, rise into the air both from the ground and from the water. Mandarin ducks, unlike other ducks, do not quack, but whistle and peep. They are silent, but during the breeding season they continuously produce melodic sounds.
Mandarin ducks feed on both animal and plant foods. In particular, algae, rice, crops, plant seeds, fish, beetles, snails. A special treat for them is acorns and frogs. In early autumn, mandarin ducks flock and flock to sow fields for feeding.
By the breeding season, at the beginning of winter, tangerines form pairs. When forming pairs, it does not do without fights, since several males sometimes take care of one female. Fights of males for a female are more reminiscent of competitions. A couple is formed for life, so tangerines are considered a symbol of fidelity and marriage.
When the pair has formed, the mandarin duck proceeds to search for a place for the nest. They prefer to nest in hollows of trees at a height of 10 meters. The female lays eggs, usually 9-12. The eggs are white, oval. Egg duck hatch for about 30 days. As soon as the process of hatching the chicks ends, the duck mother calls the chicks to the ground. Chicks crawl out of the nest, which is in the hole of the tree
at a decent height, and fall to the ground. Surprisingly, the chicks do not cripple. Jumping out of the nest, the chicks spread their wings and stretch the membranes between the toes. Chicks under maternal supervision get to a reservoir where there is food and shelter. Ducklings are very voracious, they collect worms, bugs, algae, seeds, crustaceans, etc. with their beaks. In case of danger, they are capable of diving and hiding under water for some time. After 40-45 days, the chicks are able to fly. Chicks, flying away from their parents, join other birds.
Mandarin ducks, like all ducks, molt twice a year. Males in June become almost the same color as females. Drains during molting are knocked down in packs, preferring to stay in the thickets of the wicker. Closer to winter, tangerines fly away for the winter. Some males, before departure, dress up in a mating outfit.
Mandarin ducks are a rare duck species that has been affected by deforestation. Now their number, according to rough estimates, is about 20, 000. The decisive factor that allowed this species to survive was their meat, unsuitable for human consumption.
Due to the small number of mandarin ducks listed in the Red Book, they were forbidden to hunt.
