Animalia Life
Aix galericulata
SUBFAMILY
Anatinae
TAXONOMY
Anas galericulata Linnaeus, 1758, China; monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Canard mandarin; German: Mandarinente; Spanish:
Pato Mandarнn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
16.1–20.1 in (41–51 cm); 0.98–1.10 lb (444–500 g). Multicolored
upperparts of gray, green, black, and ruddy brown. White
underparts.
DISTRIBUTION
Eastern Siberia and eastern Chinasouth to South Korea and
Japan; winters in southeastern China below 40° north and
Taiwan.
HABITAT
Fast flowing rocky streams and wooded ponds.
BEHAVIOR
Not known if territorial. Migratory.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on grains, seeds, and acorns as well as land snails, little
fish, and insects. Forages by dabbling, dipping head into the
water, and upending.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Seasonally to perennially monogamous; some forced copulations
may occur. Breeding begins in Apr. Nests in tree holes
up to 30 ft (10 m) high. Lays 9–12 eggs; incubation 28–30
days; fledging c. 40–45 days. Sexually mature at 1 year.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened, but of special concern as populations have declined
over several decades during the twentieth century.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Bred by aviculturalists. In China and Japan symbolizes happiness
and marital fidelity. Not hunted for food because distasteful.