| The Mandarin duck was introduced from Eastern Asia and China
as an ornamental bird into gardens and parks. Escaping from captivity, they
have established a wild population in south, central and eastern England,
with smaller numbers occuring in Wales, Northern England and Scotland. They
like wooded lakes and rivers with thick, overhanging vegetation where they
nest in tree holes close to the water. The male is a most colourful duck
with an elaborate plumage with orange 'sails' on the back and long orange
feathers on the side of the face. The female is far more sombre with a grey
head, brown back, mottled flanks and a white eye-ring which extends backwards
towards the nape. They are smaller than Mallards approximately 42 to 48
cms in length. They feed on seeds, nuts, acorns, grain, vegetable matter
as well as insects, snails and worms. |
