Duck (Manderain)

The male is an unmistakable bird. The female is similar to female Wood Duck, with a white eye-ring and stripe running back from the eye.

The species once widespread in Asia have reduced populations to 7,000 pairs in asia from exports and the destruction of forest habitat.

Mandarin Ducks nest in cavities in trees close to water. Unlike other ducks, the drakes reunites with the hens along with their offsprings afterter incubation, leaving the female to secure the eggs on her own.

Shortly after the hatch, the mother flies to the ground and coaxes the ducklings to leap from the nest. After all of the ducklings are out of the tree, they will follow their mother to a nearby body of water where they would usually reunite with the father, who rejoins the family and protect the ducklings with the mother.


 (photographed at Animal Kingdom in Disney Orlando FL