Little Yellow Rubber Duck
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Generally speaking the Gadwall is a pretty plain nondescript duck but with his feathers ruffled the varied colors of his feathers standout much more.
Anas superciliosa
Mother duck said "Quack, quack, quack, quack." But only two little ducks came back
Just kidding there was five but the other three didn't want their photo taken
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) male appears somewhat dirty from the minerals in the water which are staining the white feathers. Several males were observed swimming around the urban pond south of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
10 July, 2018.
Slide # GWB_20180710_0813.CR2
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What the heck.... I know it has only been a week or so since my wood duck series ended, but I couldn't resist posting another shot of a beautiful male wood duck. Call this one an outtake...and Wood Duck Glory for the Easter Holiday.
Enjoy the evening and the Easter Holiday!
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
What3Words
///trailers.ripen.grownup
The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) is a medium-sized perching duck famous for being widely regarded as the world's most beautiful duck.
Vibrant Appearance
Mandarin ducks display striking sexual dimorphism, meaning the males and females look completely different:
The Male (Drake):
Highly elaborate and colourful. It features distinctive orange feathers that stick up like "sails" on its back, a purple chest with white bars, orange cheek plumes, and a bright red-pink beak. After the spring breeding season, the male sheds these feathers (moults) into a dull "eclipse" plumage that looks like the female, though he keeps his bright beak.
The Female (Hen):
Intentionally dull and grey-brown to blend into surroundings. She has a grey head, a prominent white ring around her eye with a stripe trailing behind it, and a mottled underside.
Habitat and Global Distribution
Native Range:
Densely wooded wetlands, shallow lakes, and marshes across East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia.
Introduced Populations:
They were brought to the UK as decorative birds for private collections in the 18th century. Escaped birds formed a thriving, naturalised wild population across Great Britain.
Behavior:
Despite their loud colours, mandarins are shy, timid birds that prefer hiding under overhanging willows and tree cover. They have long claws that allow them to perch on tree branches and fly through dense forests with incredible agility.
Diet
Mandarins are omnivorous foragers. They eat a varied diet consisting of:
Aquatic plants and seeds
Acorns and grains
Insects, land snails, and small fish
Tree Nesting and "Leaping" Chicks
Mandarin ducks have a unique and dramatic nesting ritual:
High Nesting:
Females lay a clutch of 9–12 eggs during the spring in natural tree cavities or holes, sometimes up to 9 metres off the ground.
The Leap of Faith:
Shortly after hatching, the mother flies down to the ground and calls to her ducklings.
Safe Landing:
The tiny, uninjured ducklings leap from the high tree cavity. Their light weight and fluffy down feathers cushion the impact, allowing them to bounce unharmed and follow their mother straight to the nearest water.
Cultural Symbolism
In traditional East Asian cultures—particularly in China and Japan—mandarin ducks are revered as a symbol of lifelong fidelity, love, and wedded bliss. Pairs are frequently depicted in oriental art and given as wedding gifts, even though wild ducks generally only pair up for a single breeding season.
Taken at Wolseley Nature Centre, Staffordshire.
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American Black Duck
Central Ontario, Canada
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