Mandarin Duck (was - What kind of Duck is this?)

Seoda1

Hi! Picture taken in my garden yesterday, quite tame, does anyone know what kind of Duck he is??

Duck.jpg

Thanks!

LordSutch

I saw him (or simlar) in Blackrock park only last week, what a bird, and he loves bread too!

Birdnuts

Mandarin Duck - a native of the far East of Asia(China, Russia Japan). A non-native introduction to this country(escapes from captive wildfowl collections etc.).

mgwhelan

Do you know if they are breeding in the wild?

Birdnuts

mgwhelan wrote: »

Do you know if they are breeding in the wild?

Not 100% sure on that but I do remember hearing suggestions they were in the Phoenix Park, including the lake in the Zoo.

Traonach

There is a self-sustaining population of Mandarin Duck in Northern Ireland. They breed in Tollymore forest park and they winter in Newcastle (Co. Down).

fiacha

Have come across a pair in the Tolka Valley a couple of times during the last month.

I bumped into a father and son in the Phoenix Park (Quarry pond) who claimed to be responsible for breeding and releasing non native duck all over the city. They mentioned American Wood Duck & Mandarin Duck released in Blessington Basin, Phoenix Park and Strawberry Beds.

Pretty ducks, but I don't support the releasing of non native species into the wild.

four18

I saw a pair on the water in Blessington Basin in Phibsborough last Sunday. The colours on the male are striking ! Blessington Basin is a real hidden gem in the heart of the city. The birdlife there is amazing.

Desmo

fiacha wrote: »

Have come across a pair in the Tolka Valley a couple of times during the last month.

I bumped into a father and son in the Phoenix Park (Quarry pond) who claimed to be responsible for breeding and releasing non native duck all over the city. They mentioned American Wood Duck & Mandarin Duck released in Blessington Basin, Phoenix Park and Strawberry Beds.

Pretty ducks, but I don't support the releasing of non native species into the wild.

Effing imbeciles!
What bleedin planet do they come from?
Why do they do this?

LordSutch

I wonder can they interbreed with the local variety of Duck?

Desmo

LordSutch wrote: »

I wonder can they interbreed with the local variety of Duck?

Sometimes;

In General, they will either
1) die (starve or freeze)
2) become established and elbow out native ducks
or
3) interbreed with native ducks and wreck the local gene pool.

Releasing ducks like that is mindless ecological vandalism.

raggadolly

I saw a pair of them this morning in Chapelizod!