Mandarin Ducks
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There are two mutations of the Mandarin Duck coloration: the Normal, and the White. The White Mandarin Duck is primarily white with buff markings.
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There are two mutations of the Mandarin Duck coloration: the Normal, and the White. The White Mandarin Duck is primarily white with buff markings.
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Considered by most as the most ornamental of the world's ducks, the Mandarin Duck is a very popular aviary bird and commonly seen in many collections. They are closely related to the North American Wood Duck and both species are the only members of the genus. Despite the close relationship, there have been only a few reports of hybridization, but none have ever been documented or proven.
In the wild, Mandarins can be found in China, Korea, Japan and eastern Siberia.
The drake is one of world's most beautiful ducks and quite unlike any other species. The forehead is glossy greenish-black 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 elongated chestnut feathers that form a mane; the upper breast is maroon, while the lower breast and belly are white. The sides and flanks are brown, finely penciled with black. The most unique features are the wing sails, which are bright orange feathers that stand straight up off his inner wings. The hen greatly resembles a wood duck hen. She is grayer and has a smaller crest and eye ring.
Breeding
Like the wood duck, Mandarins require nesting boxes to nest in. The breeding season begins in late April when the hen begins to lay her clutch of 8 to 12 eggs that are incubated for about 28 days. The hens are good mothers and will raise her own young if you allow her to. The ducklings grow quickly and are able to fly at 8 weeks. They are able to breed the first year, but fertility is best during the second year.
The White Mandarin does occur naturally in the wild, however it is so rare that there are no studies as to how often this occurs. The White mandarins that are in captivity today are a product of hybridization to get the striking colors of the drake . The Drakes have a pure white body with a light buff coloring on the breast of the body and on the sides of the head mane. There are also 2 buff colored stripes in the front of each wing. And because they are a hybrid, no two males are quite the same variation of buff. Some will be very light in color, where other may be much darker. And like the normal colored mandarin, the white mandarin will loose this coloration after the breeding season is over, this is called an eclipse molt. During this eclipse molt the drake and the hen will look very much alike. However, after about two too three months the drake will begin to get his breeding colors back.
