Marvelous Mandarin Ducks

by Lisa Haag Kang

Mandarin ducklings have to be brave right from the start. They hatch from nests that can be quite high up in hollow trees. Soon after, their mother flies down to the forest floor and calls for them to come out. The baby ducklings use sharp claws on their feet to climb up to the nest’s opening. Then, they jump! Their tiny wings don't help much. Luckily, there usually are fallen leaves and pine needles to cushion their landings. The ducklings then follow their mother to the nearest lake or pond.

Adult males are called drakes, and they are spectacular. Their feathers have unusual shapes and brilliant colors. A drake has a striking crest on his head. It can be emerald and copper colored with shades of dark blue-purple. A bright white crescent arches over round black eyes. Below this, orangey feathers blend into a fluffy copper-colored ruff. His upper chest is a rich purple flanked by two sets of black and white stripes. The sides are tawny beige below a dark back. His wings have iridescent blue and green highlights. In addition to all of these bright colors, orangey feathers edged in white spread out above his back.

photo by Shirley Ramaley

The female mandarin duck is beautiful in a more subtle way. Her feathers are a rich combination of chocolate, chestnut, and tan. This coloration helps her to blend into the woodland environment that mandarin ducks prefer.

Mandarin ducks are native to East Asia. In Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cultures, they symbolize love and devotion. This is because pairs swim close together and never seem to leave the other's side. Statues of mandarin ducks are found in many homes. There is even a Chinese saying used to describe people who are very happy together: two mandarin ducks playing in water.

These small colorful ducks are a favorite with zoo visitors. Maybe some live in a zoo near you.