Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulata
The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) is a uncommon ducks, swans, and geese found in 69 countries, weighing about 567 g. The mandarin duck is a perching duck species native to East and Northeast Asia.
About the Mandarin Duck
The mandarin duck is a perching duck species native to East and Northeast Asia. It is sexually dimorphic; the males are elaborately coloured, while the females have more subdued colours. It is a medium-sized duck, at 41–49 cm (16–19 in) long with a 65–75 cm (26–30 in) wingspan. It is closely related to the North American wood duck, the only other member of the genus Aix. 'Aix' is an Ancient Greek word which was used by Aristotle to refer to an unknown diving bird, and 'galericulata' is the Latin for a wig, derived from galerum, a cap or bonnet. Outside of its native range, the mandarin duck has a large introduced population in the British Isles and Western Europe, with additional smaller…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The mandarin duck is among the smaller species of waterfowl, with a shorter body and smaller overall body size than most dabbling ducks, and is slightly smaller than its American wood duck relative. The adult male has a small red bill, large white crescent above the eye and reddish face and "whiskers". The male's breast is purple with two vertical white bars, the flanks ruddy, and has two orange 'sail' feathers at the back (modified 12th secondary flight feathers whose enlarged medial vane sticks up similar to boat sails).
What the Mandarin Duck sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in New Zealand, Australia, Colombia, Chile, Luxembourg, Ecuador, Malaysia, Brazil, Latvia.
When to see it
The Mandarin Duck can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Mandarin Duck?
- The mandarin duck is among the smaller species of waterfowl, with a shorter body and smaller overall body size than most dabbling ducks, and is slightly smaller than its American wood duck relative. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Mandarin Duck?
- The Mandarin Duck is a large sized bird weighing about 567 g.
- Where can you see a Mandarin Duck?
- The Mandarin Duck occurs in 69 countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Japan and the United States.
- What does a Mandarin Duck sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Mandarin Duck on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Mandarin Duck?
- The Mandarin Duck is most easily confused with the Wood Duck.
- Is the Mandarin Duck endangered?
- The Mandarin Duck is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Mandarin Duck for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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