An exotic mandarin duck appeared on the Dnipro in Cherkasy: video.

According to ТСН: On the shores of the Dnipro in Cherkasy, local residents noticed an unusual duck — a male mandarin duck. This bright exotic bird attracted significant attention among the usual ducks, and the video went viral on social media.

“These birds are not indigenous to Ukraine. Most often, mandarin ducks appear here as decorative birds, kept in parks, zoos, or private farms. Occasionally, individual birds find their way into the wild and can live in large water bodies, including the Dnipro,” the message states.

What is known about the mandarin duck

The mandarin duck is a decorative bird of the duck family, famous for the colorful plumage of the males. Its natural habitat includes East Asia — China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Far East. In addition, mandarin ducks have been successfully introduced in Western Europe, where they have become part of the local fauna. These birds often reside in zoos and parks.

The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are distinguished by their colorful plumage and a crest on their heads, while females have subdued gray-brown feathers. The male's body length reaches about 48 cm, while the female's is up to 41 cm. The wingspan ranges from 65 to 75 cm, and their weight usually varies from 0.5 to 0.6 kg.

In the wild, mandarin ducks prefer forests near mountain rivers and lakes. They build nests in tree hollows, sometimes at heights of up to 15 meters. The breeding season begins in late winter — early spring. The female lays between 7 to 14 eggs and incubates them for about a month.

It is estimated that the global population of mandarin ducks is approximately 65,000 to 66,000 individuals, and this population is tending to decline. Hunting this species is prohibited.

In the cultures of East Asian countries, mandarin ducks are considered symbols of marital fidelity and harmony. Their images are widely used in traditional art.

It is worth noting that natural conditions influence the development of bird populations, so monitoring such exotic species as the mandarin duck is essential for understanding ecological processes in Ukraine. This case also emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats for birds and other wildlife.