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News Analysis

Important Facts For Prelims

Mandarin Duck

  • 18 Feb 2021
  • 2 min read

Why in News

Recently, Mandarin ducks have been sighted in the Maguri-Motapung beel in Assam’s Tinsukia district after a century.

Key Points

  • Scientific Name: Aix galericulata
  • Discovery
    • Mandarin duck was first identified by Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
  • Characteristics:
    • It is considered the most beautiful duck in the world.
    • Male mandarins have elaborate plumage (feathers) with orange plumes on their cheeks, orange 'sails' on their back, and pale orange sides; females are dull in comparison, with grey heads, brown backs and white eyestripe.
  • Diet:
    • These birds may feed on seeds, acorns, small fruit, insects, snails, and small fish.
  • Habitat:
    • These birds inhabit temperate forests near wetlands including rivers, streams, bogs, marshes, swamps, and freshwater lakes.
    • It is native to East Asia but has established populations in Western Europe and America too.
      • It breeds in Russia, Korea, Japan and northeastern parts of China.
  • Presence in India:
    • The duck rarely visits India as it does not fall in its usual migratory route.
    • It was recorded in 1902 in the Dibru river in the Rongagora area in Tinsukia (Assam).
    • More recently, it was sighted in Manipur’s Loktak Lake in 2013, and in Saatvoini Beel in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam’s Baksa district in 2014.
  • Status on IUCN Red List : Least Concern.
  • Maguri-Motapung Beel:

Source: IE

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