12 Intriguing Details About Mandarin Ducks

Lately, the sudden appearance of a mandarin duck among the local mallards in Central Park's ponds has mesmerized New York City. Crowds have gathered to see and photograph the vividly hued bird. Its origin remains a mystery—despite the band on its leg, it doesn’t belong to nearby zoos, leading to theories that it might be an escaped or abandoned pet. One thing is certain: this "trending duck" is dominating the internet. Want to know more about its origins, diet, potential as a pet, or even its taste? Keep reading.

1. ITS NAME TRANSLATES TO "WIGGED DIVING BIRD."

Named Aix galericulata by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, the term Aix in the mandarin duck's scientific name originates from Greek, referring to an unidentified diving bird noted by Aristotle. The galericulata part translates to something akin to "wig" or "cap," describing the striking head feathers of the male during breeding season.

2. IT'S MORE COMMON THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT.

The natural breeding grounds of the mandarin duck include eastern Siberia, Japan, China, and parts of North Korea, with their wintering areas in southern China and Japan. However, as reported by the citizen science platform eBird, mandarin ducks have been observed in various locations along the west coast of the U.S., particularly in California, where their population is increasing. They are also found in Florida and a few other regions. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission states that “Species are present but breeding is unconfirmed. The population relies on repeated introductions or escapes of individuals.”

In Europe, especially southeast England, they are far more prevalent, with an estimated 7000 individuals. Most were released in the early 20th century, though some introductions date back to 1745 [PDF]. They have also been spotted in other European regions, Israel, and Africa, though some of these populations consist of escaped ornamental birds that may not be breeding independently [PDF].

3. MANDARIN DUCKS ARE STRUGGLING IN THEIR NATIVE HABITAT.

Unfortunately, mandarin ducks face significant threats from extensive habitat destruction in their native regions, with a global population estimated at roughly 65,000 individuals. Consequently, the European population is frequently regarded as crucial for the species' survival. Despite this, the bird is officially categorized as "Least Concern" by the IUCN.

4. IT HOLDS PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE IN VARIOUS EAST ASIAN CULTURES.

It's believed that mandarin ducks were first mentioned during Confucius's era, referenced in a song. They also hold importance in Buddhism, symbolizing compassion and, most notably, marital fidelity. Numerous legends in Japan tell of a male and female mandarin duck being separated and using extraordinary means, such as transforming into humans, to reunite.

5. THEY SHARE A RELATIONSHIP WITH AN AMERICAN RELATIVE.

Mandarin ducks are part of the Aix genus, which also includes the American wood duck. Both species are hole-nesting ducks with strikingly colorful males. Interestingly, unlike most ducks, they possess claws. These claws enable them to grip branches, and studies show that even one-day-old mandarin ducklings can use their claws to cling to wood, leap up to half a foot, and secure themselves with the other claw [PDF].

6. MALE AND FEMALE MANDARIN DUCKS HAVE STRIKINGLY DIFFERENT APPEARANCES.

The male mandarin duck is unmistakable, often regarded as one of the most beautiful birds. Its vibrant plumage features shades of orange, green, white, blue, and black, with some feathers forming a distinctive "sail" shape. (Outside the breeding season, however, the male adopts a more subdued gray eclipse plumage—a seasonal set of feathers.)

Female mandarin ducks are far less striking and can be easily confused with female wood ducks, their close relatives (though the males are entirely distinct) [PDF]. They are primarily gray but have a pale bill tip and a subtle stripe behind the eye.

7. THEIR COURTSHIP DISPLAYS ARE HIGHLY INTRICATE.

The courtship rituals of mandarin ducks are as spectacular as their vibrant plumage suggests. They engage in mock drinking and preening, shaking movements, and produce a sound one researcher compared to "a stifled sneeze." While they are generally quiet, males occasionally let out a short "hwick or uib uib," and females respond with a "coquette call."

Their reputation for monogamy is believed to stem from their frequent courtship displays and aggressive defense against intruders. In practice, they often remain monogamous for several years, though instances of bigamy or polygamy are not uncommon.

8. THEIR DUCKLINGS JUMP FROM TREES.

Mandarin ducks naturally nest in tree cavities, which can be as high as 30 feet above the ground. They lay nine to 12 white eggs, which hatch after about a month. Once the eggs hatch, usually within hours of each other, the ducklings begin to climb out of the nest. To reach the ground and eventually water, the young birds leap from the tree hole, often bouncing slightly upon landing. As noted by mandarin duck expert Christopher Lever, "The mother waits below, calling softly to encourage her ducklings as they make their daring descent."

9. ITS FLAVOR IS NOT PARTICULARLY APPEALING.

One reason mandarin ducks have thrived in East Asia is their unappealing taste. Christopher Lever cites an expert who noted, "In China, mandarin ducks are known to consume snails, small mice, fish spawn, and other unsavory items, giving their meat a distinctly unpleasant flavor."

10. MANDARIN DUCKS CAN ENHANCE YOUR FENG SHUI.

Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice for harmonizing energy, often involves positioning specific objects to align with and amplify that energy. Many contemporary Feng Shui experts believe that mandarin duck figurines, symbolizing love and monogamy, can attract and strengthen romantic relationships. They recommend placing the figurines facing each other or in the same direction. It’s crucial never to separate them, and if one breaks, the pair should be replaced entirely.

11. THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

Mandarin ducks are highly sought-after pets; in the Netherlands, they are reportedly "the most favored duck in private collections" [PDF]. While they are relatively easy to care for, owning one may not always be legal. For example, in New York, keeping a duck as a pet is prohibited, alongside animals like bears, cobras, and whales.

12. THEY COULD POTENTIALLY ENDANGER NATIVE SPECIES.

Paul Sweet, an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History, noted that mandarin ducks could potentially establish themselves and compete with native wood ducks. While limited research exists on their impact in the U.S., a Dutch study suggests potential concerns [PDF]. Evidence indicates they may destroy other birds' eggs in controlled environments, though their behavior in the wild remains uncertain. They are also known to displace other birds from food sources, though the extent of this impact is unclear. Contrary to myths, mandarin ducks can hybridize with other species, and there have been rare reports in Europe of mixed offspring between mandarin ducks and American wood ducks.