Mandarin Duck: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Cranes, Flamingos and Herons · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. Soon after hatching, Mandarin ducklings leap out of their tree-hole nest when their mother calls them from the ground.
2. In one Chinese reserve, 46.1% of Mandarin ducks laid eggs in the nests of other Mandarin ducks.
3. Mandarin ducks carry 84 chromosomes, while most other ducks have only 80.
4. A female lays nine to twelve eggs in spring and sits on them alone for about 28 days. The male never incubates.
5. Britain has an introduced feral population of around 7,000 Mandarin ducks.

The quiz

1. How do Mandarin ducklings leave the tree cavity?

• They are carried by their mother
• They leap out of the nest (correct)
• They climb down the bark
• They glide on tiny wings

Their mother calls from the ground and the ducklings leap from the nest.

2. What share of Mandarin ducks laid eggs in other nests in the Chinese reserve?

• 46.1% (correct)
• 4.6%
• 1.5%
• 91.6%

46.1% laid eggs in the nests of other Mandarin ducks.

3. How many chromosomes do Mandarin ducks carry?

• 40
• 64
• 84 (correct)
• 80

Mandarin ducks carry 84 chromosomes, while most other ducks have only 80.

4. Who incubates the Mandarin duck eggs?

• The male alone
• Both parents
• Neighbouring ducks
• The female alone (correct)

Only the female incubates. The male does not sit on the eggs.

5. About how many feral Mandarin ducks live in Britain?

• Around 70
• Around 700
• Around 7,000 (correct)
• Around 700,000

Britain has an introduced feral population of around 7,000.

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