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Mandarin


Mandarin
Photo Information
Copyright: Pascal DM (Platypus) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 29 W: 0 N: 39] (280)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-12-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 80-400mm VR
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Exotic Ducks Of The World [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-01-01 13:01
Viewed: 3947
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mandarin duck - Aix galericulata

Geographic Range
The Mandarin duck breeds in eastern Siberia, China, and Japan and winters in southern China and Japan. There is a small free-flying population in Britain stemming from the release captive bred ducks.

Habitat
The Mandarin lives in the forests of China and Japan. They prefer wooded ponds and fast flowing rocky streams to swim, wade, and feed in.

Physical Description
In full plumage, the male has a pair of "sail" feathers that are raised vertically above the back, a crest of orange and cream feathers, and a broad white eye-stripe that is bounded above and below by darker feathers. The female is duller in color and has an overall grey appearance marked by a curving white stripe behind the eye and a series of white blotches on the underparts. In flight, both sexes display a bluish-green iridescent speculum.

Behavior
In the Far East, Mandarins are migratory. Some of the ducks in England also make long-distance flights. Most ducks in the British population, however, are sedentary. These birds have been known to cover 500 miles in 24 hours.

Food Habits
The Mandarin Duck's basic diet consists of water plants, rice and other grains.

Conservation Status
Derstruction of habitat has had a severe impact on the oriental populations of Mandarins. In 1911, the Tung Ling forest, a Mandarin stronghold, was opened up for settlement and thereafter forests were cleared. By 1928 few sufficient breeding areas remained. The current Asian population may be under 20,000 birds. One factor that has helped the Mandarin to survive is their bad taste. These ducks are not hunted for food.

Other Comments
The Mandarin is held in high esteem by the Japanese and the Chinese. In these countries, they serve as a symbol of happiness and marital fidelity.

Source
Harris, M. 1999. "Aix galericulata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 01, 2006 at
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aix_galericulata.html.
tiobibi, peter_stoeckl, coasties, mlines, gelarsen has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2006-01-01 13:11]

Wow, beautiful, Pascal. The colors are gorgeous and the POV is wonderful. The reflection is superb. Very sharp details. Well done and TFS. : )
Happy New Year to you and yours!

Pascal,
Excellent picture. Great POV and the colors are amazing as well as the reflection in the water.
Thanks for posting
Kim

I like the colors and the reflection in the water,very nice. Happy New Year.
Ton

Bonjour Pascal,
très clair, très lumineux, belle utilisation de la réflexion, les couleurs... Félicitations!

Excellent. Thank you for this powerful, well composed foto. Its colours - both subtle and dramatic - are a painter's delight. Maybe the very dark areas on the back and the tail could reveal more details actually contained in the foto by doing a selective little post work by slightly lighting up these areas. I also enjoy the complete zoological note you have added. Happy New Year to you!
Peter :)

Hi Pascal

Lovely shot. A liitle over exposed in parts, but wow... what a reflection! Thanks.

  • Great 
  • mlines Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 556 W: 26 N: 668] (3116)
  • [2006-01-02 19:08]

Beautiful bird photograph. So clear, clean and colourful. My goal is to be able to take photos like this one. Inspiring work.

Beautiful, sharp photo with all the details in perfect view. Congratulations.
Gary

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