The mandarin duck ( Aix galericulata ) is a native bird of the Asian continent , extended especially in China and Japan, which can currently be found in certain regions of England and the United States, either at liberty or as wildlife in ornamental gardens.It is estimated that there are about 66,000 copies.
This stationary species weighs almost half a kilo and is recognized for its beautiful colors, although very few people know that only males hold them.Would you like to know why? Then read this article on the reproduction of the mandarin duck .
How to distinguish between male and female?
Most of the year the female and the mandarin duck machol share a similar coloration , between ocher brown and brownish quite uniform, with some white areas, however, during the mating season the plumage of the male is dressed in bright colors, with the intention of attracting the female.
Thus, the colors of the male become bright dark green and red in the area of the head, and in the face a mixture of orange and white.The chest is a pure white and the part of the purple or violet neck, accompanied by two white hoops.The rest of the body is a combination between brown pulling orange quite striking, intensifying on the wings.
Throughout the year the females retain their more opaque brown color, with abdomen and the spot around the white eyes.
Mating ritual
The mating of the mandarin depends on the time of the year, with the change of climate that stimulates the transformation of the plumage of the male.In this way, the appearance of the so-called nuptial plumage is it gives between autumn and winter, ideal period for courtship, which is carried out in places with leafy trees and forested areas when the birds are free.
To this change of colors that make it more striking , the male adds a series of behaviors that should be interesting for the female to choose, considering it the best match.To do this, emits a song while raising the feathers that cover its head, as if it were a crest.
The female observes the proposition and decides whether to accept it or not.If the response is positive, the formed couple will remain united during that season , Well, mandarins are monogamous and tend to get sad if one of the partners comes to die.
After forming the couple will be time to look for the nest, for which the female follows the male to the area where he was born.Alli will mate several times a day for a couple of weeks.
Nest and incubation
With the arrival of spring the nest that the couple has chosen must be prepared to lay eggs.In the area that the male has taken to the female, she chooses a hollow in the upper part of a tree that seems convenient to bring the world to its progeny.She will prepare the site with grass and part of her own feathers, while the father moves away possible intruders, including other ducks.
The mandarin lays between 9 and 12 eggs , which the mother must then incubate for a minimum of 28 days and a maximum of 30.During this process the male has no participation, so he meets with other mandarins.
After this time the chicks will be born, who come to the world with their feathers and much less helpless than the offspring of most birds.Newborns will depend on the mother and want to follow her all parts, but only the first days.From day 45 they can fly, and when they feel a little more independent they will leave the nest area to find their own flock, as mandarins usually walk in groups of up to 100 copies .
If you wish to read more articles similar to Reproduction of the mandarin duck , we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.
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