Since ancient times, the mandarin duck is considered a symbol of oriental culture. Hunting for them is prohibited.

The habitat and why is the mandarin duck so called?

The name of the birds is associated with a bright color of males. Similar bright dresses were worn by Chinese noble officials - tangerines. The duck lives in China, Japan, Korea, in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, in the Amur Region and on Sakhalin. By winter, the birds living in the northern regions fly to the south of Japan and China.

Description

Tangerines are medium-sized birds about 50 cm in size, weight up to 800 g. Wingspan of about 60 cm. Live in small flocks. The plumage of males is bright. The color of the female is more modest than the gray-olive shades, the crest and white belly on the head. The size and weight of the male and female are almost the same. Ducks fly well and dive, quickly move on land. It takes off vertically. The voice is not like duck quacking. Ducks emit a peculiar whistle sometimes similar to a squeak. In nature, mandarin ducks do not live long for more than 6 years, they often become prey of predators.

What does the habitat feed on?

Ducks feed on plant foods, seeds, cereals, fish, crustaceans, frogs, worms, and mollusks. From the south, ducks return in early spring. Nest from April to June on tall trees near ponds, build nests in hollows, prefer quiet and safe places covered by trees, shrubs and windbreaks.

Breeding

The female lays from 6 to 14 eggs.Hatching lasts 30-32 days. The female does not leave the clutch, the male gets the food for her. Both parents take care of the chicks. Breeding lasts 35-45 days. Chicks are able to fly after 40 days of life. Mature chicks go with a female to a pond to look for food. Little ducklings often become food for birds of prey and raccoon dogs.

Plumage change

Twice a year, ducks drop feathers. In June, the males form a flock, take refuge in the undergrowth and molt begins. They lose their bright plumage and acquire the color of ordinary ducks. Because of this, hunters become random prey.

Tangerines at home

Mandarin ducks are bred as a decorative breed at home to find a duck is not easy, and it is very expensive. In summer, ducks do not require any special conditions; they get along well with other poultry. With the approach of cold weather, ducks can stay outdoors. In winter, they need a warm enclosure, soft bedding made of straw, and a heated pool for daily swimming.

At home, the female may refuse to hatch laid eggs and then they are given to another mother hen. Ducks need cereals, plants, vegetable dare, protein foods, insects, cereals, bran, acorns. Before breeding, fish and meat products are added to the feed. In captivity, ducks can live up to 10-12 years.

Interesting facts about the mandarin duck

1. Mandarin duck does not interbreed with other duck species; it has a smaller set of chromosomes.
2. The reasons for the reduction in the number of ducks are agricultural activities, deforestation.
3. The male, having updated the color of the feathers, becomes like a female. A distinctive feature is the red beak.
4. They nest in hollows of trees at high heights of up to 15 meters. Do not build nests for two consecutive years in one hollow.
5. Previously, in China, the newlyweds were given a couple of ducks for the wedding, as a symbol of fidelity and family happiness. This tradition has nothing to do with reality, as mandarin ducks change partners every year.
6. Tangerines can become prey to hunters due to a change in plumage. They become like ordinary ducks. From far away they are difficult to distinguish.
7. There are mandarin ducks with white plumage, but they are very rare.