Mandarin Duck
MANDARIN DUCK
Aix galericulata
Family Anatidae
Bird # 449 - December 2013
This is a beautiful duck probably the best looking duck in the world. It measures 450 mm (17 1/2") in length. This particular duck was first spotted by our friend Richard Ruiz of Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. It seems to be a country record.
This particular bird likes to hide in the grass or under trees. It hid very well and despite its bright colors and usual pattern was difficult to find. We had to visit Laoag twice, visit the site six times, and we only got to see it once for a minute before it hid again. Sylvia just had laser eye surgery and it came in very handy when she spotted a small bit of the duck hiding under a bush. It sensed we saw it and moved out, flew to the main group of ducks, swam around for a minute, then hid again! This time it was truly hidden and we could not see it at all. It was very wary and seemed to exhibit the type of behavior expected for a wild duck. There were Eurasian Wigeons, a Spot Billed Duck, a Northern Pintail, a Northern Shoveler and a few tufted ducks in the pond. We suspect that the Mandarin flew in with some of the other migrant ducks.
Mandarin Ducks are found in southeast Russia, China, Taiwan,Japan, and Korea. They were introduced into Britain and exported to many other countries. The largest populations are in Japan and Britain..
Read MoreAix galericulata
Family Anatidae
Bird # 449 - December 2013
This is a beautiful duck probably the best looking duck in the world. It measures 450 mm (17 1/2") in length. This particular duck was first spotted by our friend Richard Ruiz of Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. It seems to be a country record.
This particular bird likes to hide in the grass or under trees. It hid very well and despite its bright colors and usual pattern was difficult to find. We had to visit Laoag twice, visit the site six times, and we only got to see it once for a minute before it hid again. Sylvia just had laser eye surgery and it came in very handy when she spotted a small bit of the duck hiding under a bush. It sensed we saw it and moved out, flew to the main group of ducks, swam around for a minute, then hid again! This time it was truly hidden and we could not see it at all. It was very wary and seemed to exhibit the type of behavior expected for a wild duck. There were Eurasian Wigeons, a Spot Billed Duck, a Northern Pintail, a Northern Shoveler and a few tufted ducks in the pond. We suspect that the Mandarin flew in with some of the other migrant ducks.
Mandarin Ducks are found in southeast Russia, China, Taiwan,Japan, and Korea. They were introduced into Britain and exported to many other countries. The largest populations are in Japan and Britain..
MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata Laoag, Ilocos Norte
MANDARIN DUCKphilippinestonjisylviabirdrichard ruizAix galericulata
