Mandarin duck

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

The mandarin is a small perching duck of approximately 45 cm head-body length and 440-550 g body-weight.

The female lays 9 to 12 creamy-white eggs in a tree cavity typically near or overhanging water, and incubates them alone for 28-30 days.

Feral mandarin ducks are found in many countries, but the invasive potential of the species is low and negative impacts have not been recorded, although the ducks may compete with other species for tree-hole nest sites.

Did you know?
that Japanese and Chinese cultures hold the mandarin in high regards? In these countries, they serve as a symbol of happiness and fidelity.

Factsheet
Class	AVES
Order	ANSERIFORMES
Suborder	ANSERES
Family	ANATIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Aix galericulata
Name (English)	Mandarin duck
Name (French)	Canard mandarin
Name (German)	Mandarinente
Name (Spanish)	Pato mandarin
Local names	Dutch: Mandarijneend Italian: Anatra mandarina Romansh: Anda mandarina
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Appendix II (as Anatidae spp.)

Photo Copyright by
Valerie Abbott

Distribution

Distribution
Range	China, Japan, Korea PDR, Korea Dem., Mongolia, Russian Fed., Taiwan. Vagrants may be found in Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam. There are introduced populations in Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Habitat	Freshwaters with a dense marginal growth of woodland and shrubs, reeds or sedges. Dependent of holes in deciduous trees for nesting.
Wild population	The global population is estimated to be 65,000-66,000 individuals by Wetlands International (2002).
Zoo population	2035 reported to ISIS (2006)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 18 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Valerie Abbott

Why do zoos keep this animal

Keeping Mandarin ducks as ornamental fowl has a long tradition. Zoos keep them for educational purposes because they display interesting behaviours, and as an ambassador species for wetland conservation.

How this animal should be kept

For up to 4 birds an enclosure with a land surface of 30 m² and a water surface of 6 m². or an aviary of 16 m² including a pool of 4 m² is recommended. Average water depth 40 cm.

Note that WAZA has adopted the policy of outphasing pinioning, and that several countries prohibit the use of surgical methods for flight restraint. Feral mandarin ducks are found in many countries, but the invasive potential of the species is low and negative impacts have not been recorded, although the ducks may compete with other species for tree-hole nest sites.