Mandarin Duck

The Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is a perching duck species native to the East Palearctic. With a length of 41–49 cm (16–19 in) and a wingspan of 65–75 cm (26–30 in), it is of medium size. The only other bird in the genus Aix, the North American wood duck, is closely related to it. Aristotle used the Ancient Greek word "Aix" to describe an unidentified diving bird, while the Latin word "galericulata", which refers to a wig, comes from the Latin word galerum, which also means cap or bonnet. The mandarin duck has a sizable introduced population outside of its original area in the British Isles and Western Europe, with minor incursions in North America.

Mandarin ducks have sexual dimorphism, which causes men and females to have different appearances. Mandarin ducks have brightly striped feathers on the males, while the females are brown with white patches. The males employ their colorful attention-getters to entice a mate. He loses his come-hither feathers, though, as summer arrives.