Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B11.33.w1, B31, B40, B41, B94, B96, B97, B108, B128.w1, N1.66.w1 D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Perching Ducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Perching Ducks and "geese" are generally happier maintained fully-flighted if possible, for example in an aviary for the smaller species, or under flight netting.
• While the larger species in this group are hardy, the smaller species may be more delicate and require winter shelter. These species eat a high proportion of vegetable matter and appreciate a grazing area. Most of these species are hole-nesters.
• Many of these species are sociable outside the breeding season, although Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck, Cairina scutulata - White-winged duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii - Hartlaub's duck and Plectropterus gambensis - Spur-winged goose can all be aggressive and require separate enclosures.

(B7, B11.33.w1, B94, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Mandarins are winter-hardy, although they may require shelter in severe climates, and may be kept in various types of enclosure, including fully-flighted in aviaries. They are easy to manage and suitable for mixed-species collections. They my be fed e.g. grain, pellets, duckweed or other greenfood and bread.
• These ducks are easy to breed. Laying usually begins from end of March or later, and may continue to June (UK). Raised (e.g. 2-3 feet (60-90cm) high nest boxes are preferred (12x12x12inches (30x30x30cm) with a 4inch (10cm) entrance hole) and a ramp leading from the ground or water to the hole for flight-restricted birds.although they may also use a tunnel nest box. Poor fertility in some strains is thought to be related to inbreeding. Many females sit reliably, some are nervous.
• Ducklings may be reared by the female or by a foster duck or a broody hen or handreared. they are easy to rear, although they initially try to jump or climb out of rearing boxes, which must be covered, and require protection from rain and cold wind when young. Good results may be obtained by parent rearing in covered pens or aviaries. Foods such as chopped hard-boiled egg and duckweed are useful initially for ducklings in addition to rearing crumbs. Pens for ducklings must be covered, as they are good climbers.
• Pairing with Aix sponsa - Wood duck has been reported but eggs were infertile; there have been no confirmed hybrids. N.B. these ducks have a different chromosome number from other waterfowl; hybridisation appears to be impossible.

(B7, B29, B31, B40, B41, B94, B96, B97, B108, B128.w1, N1.66.w1).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: J 9.0mm (D8).

• Stimulating Feeding of Downies (Waterfowl)
• Flight Netting
• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Breast maroon, separated by two sets of vertical white and black lines from flanks tawny/buff with narrow band of white and black at upper edge. Centre of underparts white (breast to undertail coverts inclusive). Tail and back olive brown, longer uppertail coverts blue/green. Upperparts mainly dark olive-brown.

Wings olive brown, scapulars iridescent blue, secondaries iridescent green with white tips, primaries iridescent black with white on outer webs. Distinctive orange ‘sail’ on either side of upperparts formed from elongated 12^th tertial feathers.

Eclipse: Similar to female.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• South east of former USSR, north-eastern China, Japan.

• Japanese birds and British feral population sedentary, rest of Asian population migrates to lower latitudes in winter (eastern China).

Britain.

• London: In the London Area, "established, locally common, feral breeding resident." Widespread in most of this area except for Kent; small numbers seen in Inner London. (J322.65.w1)

Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Asian population has declined substantially (B1).

• This species is listed on Schedule 9 - Part 1 (Animals and plants to which Section 14 applies (ie. may not be released into or grown in the wild) ) of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade