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Mandarin Duck - Aix galericulata

The male Mandarin duck is an unusual, pretty multicoloured waterbird

The male Mandarin duck is an unusual, pretty multicoloured waterbird The male Mandarin Ducks we have seen have the most distinctive, elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange facial feathers at the side of their faces. The females are dull by comparison with a grey head and white downward curving stripe behind the eye and brown back with mottled flanks. They were, as the name might suggest, introduced to Europe and UK from China, becoming established by way of escapees from captive stock.

The main population of Mandarin Ducks - Aix galericulatais is in southern, central and eastern England, with occasional sightings in Wales, Northern England and Scotland.

They are non-migratory residents seen all year round, living on insects, vegetation and seeds.

The RSPB estimates there to be around 7,000 adult Mandarin Ducks in the UK.