Mandarin Duck

gorgeous · Asia · perching duck · dimorphic

Rainbow male plumage. Male mandarin ducks are among the most spectacularly colored birds in the world, with elaborate patterns and brilliant hues. Females are much more plain colored, which helps them hide while nesting.

Perches in trees. Unlike most ducks that waddle on the ground, mandarin ducks have special claws that let them perch on tree branches and rest among the leaves. They're built differently from typical dabbling ducks.

Medium-sized bird. Mandarin ducks are about 41 to 49 centimeters long (roughly 16 to 19 inches), about the size of a small chicken. Their wingspan stretches to 65 to 75 centimeters when they spread their wings.

From East Asia. These ducks are native to parts of East and Northeast Asia, where they nest in forest streams and wetlands. Thanks to people bringing them to Europe and other places, they now live in wild populations in the British Isles and Western Europe too.

Closest American cousin. The mandarin duck is most closely related to the North American wood duck, and these are the only two ducks in their special genus called Aix. They share similar habits of living near trees and perching on branches.