China: Beijing – Mandarin Ducks at Imperial Summer Palace

These are absolutely amazing birds and perhaps most visually stunning waterfowl in the world – Mandarin Ducks – and they are revered all around China. They are native to eastern China. Mandarin ducks exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look completely different. The male is spectacular explosion of color – dark red bill, large white crescent above the eyes,orange face and whiskers”, purple breast, yellow tan flanks, and he two bright orange sail feathers that rise from his back. The female is simple but elegant grey. Interestingly, mandarin ducks have a different number of chromosomes from all other ducks, thus interbreeding is impossible. Also, while in Chinese culture mandarin ducks are considered a symbol of everlasting love and commitment, in reality, this is one of the few duck species that change partners every year. Oh, and it’s the only duck species to nest high up in tree and little fluffy ducklings have to drop to the ground on day 2!