Mandarin

Name: Mandarin

Scientific name: Aix galericulata

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: This beautiful little duck was introduced from the Far East, where it can still be found in China, Japan, Korea and parts of Russia. They are actually quite shy birds, often hiding beneath overhanging willows. Mandarin spend much of their time away from o

How to identify: A beautiful, unmistakable duck.

Where: Introduced from China and now found on park lakes and other wetlands with overhanging trees, mainly in south east England but also in the rest of England, Wales and Scotland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 30
• Agility: 30
• Rarity: 60
• Cute factor: 80
• Traveller: 40

Fantastic fact: The Mandarin nests in holes in trees, sometimes very high up and a long way from the water!

Photograph credit: Dave Appleton