Mandarin Duck
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Aix
Specie: Aix galericulata
Common name: Mandarin Duck
Breed: Mandarin Duck
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: Eastern Asia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Aix
Specie: Aix galericulata
Common name: Mandarin Duck
Breed: Mandarin Duck
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: Eastern Asia
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Characteristics: The mandarin duck (Aix galericulata), or just mandarin, is a specie found in East Asia, and introduced in North America, and Europe. They are a medium-sized duck. A typical adult is from 41 to 49 cm (16 to 19 inches) in length, with a wingspan of between 65 to 75 cm (26 to 30 inches). As the other member of the genus Aix, it is closely related to the North American wood duck. The wild specimens, the adult male is a striking and unmistakable bird. They has a red bill, large white crescent above the eye, and reddish face, and "whiskers". The breast is purple with two vertical white bars, and the flanks ruddy, with two orange "sails" at the back. The female has gray upper parts and head, white eye-ring and stripe running back from the eye, white at base of it pale-tipped bill, mottled gray and white breast, white belly Similar to the female Wood Duck, the female Mandarin Duck has lacks the thin yellow eye-ring. In the wild, mandarin ducks breed in densely wooded areas near shallow lakes, marshes or ponds. They nest in cavities in trees close to water and during the spring, the females lay their eggs in the tree's cavity after mating. A single clutch of 8 - 12 eggs is laid in Spring or Summer, and the incubation period is 29 days. Although the male may defend the brooding female, and the eggs during incubation, he himself does not incubate the eggs, and leaves before they hatch. Shortly after the ducklings hatch, their mother flies to the ground and coaxes the ducklings to leap from the nest. After all of the ducklings are out of the tree, they will follow their mother to a nearby body of water. There are various mutations of the mandarin duck found in captivity. The most common mutations are the cinnamon, and white mandarin duck. Although the origin of these mutations are unknown, it is presumed that the constant pairing of related birds, and selective breeding led to recessive genes combinations leading to genetic conditions, including albinism, and the rare Silver. The White Mandarin males have the same markings as the Wild Mandarin, and wherever there is a dark color on the Wild Mandarin, in the White Mandarin have a light chestnut/ tan color. The beak is a bright red. The White Mandarin females are all white, but some females may have a chestnut/ tan stripe in a few of the flight feathers. In traditional Chinese culture, mandarin ducks are believed to be lifelong couples, unlike other species of ducks. Hence they are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity, and are frequently featured in Chinese art. In the Korean culture, mandarin ducks represent peace, fidelity, and plentiful offspring. Similar to the Chinese, they believe that these ducks mate for life. For these reasons, pairs of mandarin ducks called wedding ducks are often given as wedding gifts and play a significant role in Korean marriage.
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