Amazing and bright mandarin ducks

Duck-mandarin duck belongs to the class - birds, the detachment - geese, the family - ducks, the genus - forest ducks, species - mandarin ducks.

Duck-mandarin ducks live in China, Japan and Eastern Siberia. For wintering they go to the southern regions of these regions. They are also found in the UK due to the fact that they were imported. They prefer to live near water bodies.

Duck-mandarin dykes are painted depending on sex. Males are bright, in their coloring there are almost all the colors of the rainbow, with the predominance of orange-brown tones. The plumage of the female is more modest, in grayish tones. Surprisingly, when flying, both males and females acquire blue-green tints of color. The drake has a long, multicolored crest on its head. Their wings are golden yellow, fan-shaped, small beak, coral-red. The contrast of the female and male is clearly visible in the photo.

Duck-mandarin duck is characterized by a maneuverable and fast flight. They easily, almost vertically, rise into the air both from the ground and from the water. Duck-mandarin duck, unlike other ducks, do not quack, but whistle, pee. They are silent, but during the breeding period, they continuously give out melodious sounds.

Duck-mandarin duck and animal food, and vegetable. In particular, algae, rice, cereals, plant seeds, fish, beetles, snails. A special treat for them is acorns and frogs. In early autumn, mandarin ducks get into flocks and feed for raids on sown fields for feeding.

By the period of reproduction, at the beginning of winter, the tangerines form pairs. When forming pairs, there is no fights, as several males sometimes take care of one female. The fights of the males for the female are more like competitions. The couple is formed for life, so the mandarins are considered a symbol of loyalty and marriage.

When the pair formed, the mandarin duck begins to search for a place for the nest. They prefer to nest in tree hollows at a 10-meter height. The female lays eggs, as a rule, 9-12. Eggs are white, oval. The egg duck is about 30 days old. As soon as the process of hatching chicks ends, the mother-duck calls the chicks to the ground. The chicks creep out of the nest that 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 their webs between their toes. Nestlings under maternal care get to the pond where there is food and shelter. Ducklings are very gluttonous, they collect worms, beetles, algae, seeds, crustaceans, etc. with their beaks. In case of danger, they are able to dive and for some time lurk underwater. After 40-45 days, the chicks are able to fly. Nestlings, flying away from their parents, join other birds.

Mandarin duck, like all ducks, moult twice a year. Males in June become almost the same color as females. Drains during the moult stray, flock, preferring to stay in the thicket of the lazy. Closer to winter, the mandarin ducks depart for wintering. Some males dress up before the flight in a wedding dress.

Mandarins are a rare species of ducks, the number of which was affected by deforestation. Now their number is estimated at about 20,000. The decisive factor that allowed this species to survive was their meat, unsuitable for human consumption.

Due to the small number, the mandarin ducks were brought into the Red Book, they were banned from hunting.