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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
mandarin
duck |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Anseriformes |
| FAMILY: |
Anatidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Aix
(water bird) galericulata (small capped head) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
mandarin duck has a glossy greenish-black forehead
that turns to purple as it slopes to a crest at
the back of the head. The sides of the head are
white with chestnut in front of the eyes. The sides
of the neck and the cheeks have longer brown feathers.
The upper breast is maroon, and the lower breast
and belly are white. The sides and flanks are brown
with black streaks and wing sails, which are bright
orange feathers. |
| FEMALE |
The
female mandarin duck is grayer and has a smaller
crest and eye ring as compared to the male. |
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| SIZE: |
Approximately
21.0-24.5 cm (8.3-9.7 in.) long |
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| WEIGHT: |
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| MALE |
Approximately
0.63 kg (1.4 lbs) |
| FEMALE |
Approximately
1.08 kg (2.4 lbs) |
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| DIET: |
Varies
with season and locality; includes acorns, buckwheat,
and rice (in fall), insects snails, small fish,
and vegetation (in spring); grapes, roses, rhododendrons,
pines, aquatic plant seeds, horsetail shoots |
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| INCUBATION: |
28-30 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE: |
9-12
eggs; female incubates the eggs 80% of the time,
joined by male for short breaks during the day |
| FLEDGING
DURATION: |
6-8
weeks |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
1 year |
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| RANGE: |
Found
throughout Southeast Asia, Soviet Union, and China;
largest populations found in Japan and England |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
river valleys with wooded islands, forest lakes
with willow-lined banks and small forest ponds |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
| REGIONAL |
The
current Asian population may be under 20,000 birds |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
Mandarin
ducks are highly social, flying in large flocks
during winter. |
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| 2. |
Pair
bonds are very strong among them and if they survive
beyond one breeding season, they will return to
the same bond rather than establish new ones. |
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| 3. |
Females
take the initiative in choosing a mate by orienting
enticing behavior toward a preferred mate. |
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| 4. |
Japanese
and Chinese cultures hold the mandarin in high regards.
In these countries, they serve as a symbol of happiness
and fidelity. |
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Habitat
destruction has had a severe impact on the Asian
populations of mandarins. In 1911, the Tung Ling
forest, a mandarin stronghold, was opened up for
settlement and thereafter forests were cleared.
By 1928 few sufficient breeding areas remained.
This
species is not hunted for food because they taste
bad, which has consequently helped them survive.
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|
|
| Austin,
G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press,
Inc., 1961. |
|
| Gooders,
J., and T. Boyer. Ducks of North America and
the Northern Hemisphere. Facts on File Publications,
1986. |
|
| Gotch,
A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981. |
|
| Johnsgard,
P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World.
Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978. |
|
|
Scott,
P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World.
Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.
|
|
| Todd,
F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego,
Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996. |
|
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/aix/a._
galericulata$narrative.html |
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| http://home.att.net/~DanCowell/aix.html |
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