Mandarin duck, description, features of raising a duck, photos and videos

The Mandarin duck is an extraordinary and unforgettable duck. The color of the bird is variegated and very bright. It doesn't get its name from the orange fruit. Tangerines in ancient China they called representatives of the nobility dressed in elegant attire. Previously, only very wealthy people could afford to keep these birds. Where does the bird live, what does it eat? Is it possible to breed at home?

Content:

1. Description of the bird, interesting facts
2. Natural habitats and behavior in the wild
3. What do ducks eat in different seasons?
4. Features of reproduction
5. Is it possible to breed at home?

Description of the bird, interesting facts

The Mandarin duck, also known as the mandarin duck, is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful representatives of its kind. In China it is recognized as a cultural symbol.

The mandarin duck is a small wild duck. Its weight is 0.5-0.8 kg, and its length is no more than 50 cm. It is classified as a genus of forest birds. Swims and dives beautifully, moves quickly on land and flies.

The male is endowed with the most spectacular plumage. Thanks to its eye-catching color scheme, it can be seen from afar. Exotic coloration is present during the mating season, starting in September and ending in July. Males are covered in white, red, orange, purple and green feathers.

The head is decorated with a crest, and the neck with sideburns. The wings have one elongated fiery orange feather.Bright red beaks and yellow legs complement the colorful picture. When a bird swims in body of water, the feathers are folded in such a way that they look like a saddle.

Females have a more modest appearance, have a natural color scheme and lower body weight than males. The belly of the ducks is white, there is a crest on the neat head, the eyes seem to be lined. The main feather colors are beige, gray and olive. The female should be less noticeable, not attract the attention of predatory animals and be engaged in hatching eggs.

Interesting facts about “mandarin ducks”:

• At the end of the mating season, the color of the male becomes simpler and resembles the color of the females.
• This is the only species of non-quack duck in the world. The bird makes sounds that resemble a whistle or squeak.
• A duck cannot be crossed with other representatives of the species due to differences in the genotype.
• Birds do not build nests in the same place twice in a row; they prefer to change locations.
• The younger the female, the fewer eggs she lays.

If we are talking about the mandarin duck, then the photos turn out spectacular. And seeing it in nature is simply an unforgettable sight.

Natural habitats and behavior in the wild

Populations of colorful ducks live in the East: China, Japan and Korea. The species is also found in America, Great Britain and Ireland. The mandarin duck is also found on Sakhalin Island, on the banks of the Amur River, as well as in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. If the average air temperature does not exceed 5 degrees, the ducks fly to a new habitat.

Birds gather in flocks and choose to live in forests located near bodies of water. They prefer forest thickets on coasts with a humid climate or small rocks near rivers.At the end of the breeding season, mandarin ducks may join flocks of ducks of other species.

Birds are famous for their excellent adaptability to living conditions.

Hunting for birds is prohibited. The bird is listed in the Red Book and is considered rare.

Several animals hunt ducks: foxes, raccoons, squirrels, martens, birds of prey. Enemies sometimes invade nests.

Although this is not typical for ducks, mandarin ducks live in trees and make nests 7-10 m above the ground. In flight, the birds are dexterous and maneuverable, easily taking off into the air. Due to their small size, ducks quickly jump from branch to branch. Adults teach small chicks to fly, which glide well on their first attempt, as a result of which they remain intact. Once near a pond, kids learn to swim.

Mandarin ducks can dive. However, they do this only in cases of extreme necessity. For example, when there is a threat of attack by a predator.

Some people are accustomed to considering ducks as faithful birds. In fact, mandarin ducks change partners every year.

What do ducks eat in different seasons?

The diet of birds consists of plant foods, representatives of fauna living in bodies of water, cereals, insects, and changes depending on the season. At each time of year, ducks have access to different food sources.

In summer, mandarin ducks catch frogs, small fish, snails, mollusks and worms. This is the season of the most nutritious food.

In autumn, the diet includes mainly products of plant origin - cereals, seeds, nuts. Ducks love acorns very much; for this delicacy, birds climb on Oak trees, look for fruits under trees, on rocky slopes and in water. Such maneuvers are not difficult due to the skills of vertical climbing on branches.At the beginning of autumn, mandarin ducks go out into the fields in small flocks in search of rice and buckwheat.

Spring is the time for mixed nutrition. During this season, mandarin ducks forage for plant and animal food, find seeds, and catch insects and snails. They have a particular weakness for horsetail shoots.

Searching for food and eating it occurs during dawn and dusk. During the day, birds sit on trees or in thickets near water bodies and rest.

Features of reproduction

In autumn, males acquire colorful and striking plumage. During the mating season, they attract females with their bright appearance and dancing on the water. When fighting for a duck, drakes can behave very aggressively with their opponents. In packs, the fight for the lady begins.

After choosing a partner, a pair of birds stays together until the end of the mating season. The female is looking for a nesting site, accompanied by the male. A hollow is selected in tree, which is located near the river, or a nest is made on the branches.

In mid-spring, the female lays 10-12 eggs and begins incubation. Since she cannot leave the nest, the male obtains and brings food for her.

The chicks hatch from the eggs after a month, have a good appetite, quickly gain weight and grow.

The parents of Mandarin ducks are very attentive and caring. Not only the female, but also the male is involved in raising the offspring. They quickly begin learning to swim and dive. Young birds at the age of 6-7 weeks can already fly, and from that moment they become adult birds.

Since mandarin ducks are heat-loving, in the event of a sharp drop in air temperature and frost, the chicks may die.

Is it possible to breed at home?

Nowadays you can find more and more advertisements “I will sell decorative ducks”, under which there are photos of mandarin ducks.Indeed, breeding ornamental birds is not uncommon now. If you wish, you can grow a colorful duck at home.

In captivity, conditions are created that resemble natural ones. When well maintained, ducks reproduce well and feel comfortable in the vicinity of other waterfowl.

In the warm season, caring for tangerines is the least troublesome. The presence of a pond, trees, branches and posts is required. Birds should have enough space to roost and rest. Plastic rods and perches are not suitable.

Since mandarin ducks are heat-loving creatures, when the temperature drops to 5 C or below, the birds are transferred to insulated enclosures. Straw or hay is used as bedding.

The constant condition remains the presence of a reservoir. It could be an artificial pool. The water must be heated daily; birds need water treatments.

Nutrition

To keep your ducks healthy and active, create a balanced diet. Complete nutrition includes vegetation, grains and protein animal foods.

Provide 24/7 access to:

• wheat,
• rice,
• corn,
• barley,
• buckwheat,
• sunflower or soybean meal.

In warm seasons, when there is an abundance of greenery in the gardens, the birds crumble leaves of dandelion, plantain, and duckweed greens.

Don’t forget that mandarin ducks’ favorite food is acorns. In the fall, stock up on the product as much as possible and pamper your ducks. Also added to the menu are chopped raw carrots, boiled cereals, and bran.

Do not forget about food of animal origin, which is especially necessary during the breeding season. They give the birds snails, daphnia, frogs, fresh minced meat or fish.

The proportion of protein should not exceed 20% of the daily feed requirement.An increase in the recommended amount provokes the development of diseases.

Breeding

To breed tangerines, make a nest box measuring 40x40x50 cm. Attach it to the wall or place it on tree branches.

Ducks raised in an aviary are not always good brood hens and are capable of dropping eggs. In such a situation, they find another bird and place it in the nest. Ordinary domestic ducks or hens with their offspring are “invited” as hens. If a new mother for the chicks is not found, an incubator is used. However, the chicks, in this case, can become very timid, weak and even die of hunger.

If the mother is in charge, the babies quickly leave the nest and learn basic skills. After the young animals learn to swim and fly, they are released into an independent life, to the pond.

If you decide to have an exotic duck on your own farm, weigh the pros and cons. In order for the bird to live and develop fully, it is necessary to create adequate living conditions.

The Mandarin duck is a miniature bright duck that will not leave anyone indifferent. In most regions, it is considered rare and is listed in the Red Book. Poultry is also bred at home. For this purpose, artificial ponds and swimming pools. Ducks can become a decoration for your own site.

Now let’s see what the tangerine duck looks like in the video: