Mandarin duck

The mandarin duck ( Aix galericulata ) is a bird pertaining to the family of the Anatidé S, originating in Asia of South-east. It can however be observed in a wild state in Europe and in particular in France, where some escaped individuals of captivity acclimatized themselves and reproduce there today regularly.

Appearance

Recognizable between all, the male is characterized by the form and the so particular color from its wings. It loses this resplendent plumage after the period of reproduction (towards the end of the Printemps), to take an appearance closer to the female, so much so that it can be difficult to differentiate them.

It measures between 41 and 49 centimetres going length for a scale from 65 to 75 centimetre. The male weighs in the 630 grams and the female 570 grams.

Behavior and reproduction

The mandarin duck is a symbol of fidelity in Asia (it is sometimes offered in gift to a couple of young grooms in China), because it saw in couple all its life during. The female lays from six to twelve eggs per annum that it broods during approximately 28 days, between April and July.

He attends all kinds of stretch of water, provided that they are near a rather dense forest.

Threatened species

Although very widespread in Southeast Asia, it is a Espèce threatened following the destruction of its natural habitat, the forest. In 1980, the Japan ordered: 3000 couples Mandarins duck to the Holland to repopulate its territory.

On the other hand the white variety is regarded as domestic.

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