The mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is originally from East Asia. At the time of mating, the male is beautifully colored, which is why it has often been the target of breeders' interest as an ornamental bird in Europe since the 18th century. They are good fliers and can easily escape from unsecured farms and nest under our conditions. Currently, several dozen pairs are nesting especially in southern Moravia on Svratka river. It nests in tree hollows around wetlands and bodies of water or streams. It feeds mainly on plants and seeds, but it does not disdain small animals, such as insects, snails, plankton or small fish. In autumn, he also collects acorns, beech trees or grains.
There are two interesting things about this duck. Female mandarin ducks have only one ovary, which becomes stunted in old females and these females become colored like the male. Another interesting thing is actually a paradox. In China and Korea, mandarin ducks are given to newlyweds as a symbol of loyalty, e.g. in the form of a statue. In fact, in the wild they look for a new partner to mate with every year.
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