Identifying Wood Ducks And Mandarin Ducks A Comprehensive Guide

Wood and Mandarin Ducks are both commonly found across the British Isles. Identification of the male of each species is straightforward, whereas differentiating the females can be tricky. In this guide, we identify the features to look out for so you can confidently identify each bird.

Family: Anatidae

HABITAT

Wood and Mandarin Ducks are relatively shy birds, preferring to live with sufficient vegetation to hide under. Wooded wetlands and marshes are ideal habitats. The species faces declining numbers in East Asia due to habitat loss and exports but thrives in non-native regions where they do not compete with native ducks.

WOOD DUCK

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) are also known as North American Wood Ducks, and colloquially as Carolinas. Which as these names suggest, gives away that the Wood Duck is not native to the British Isles. Having been introduced into private collections, escapees have gradually established populations.

Key features to look out for in the male are: Distinctive green, blue, and violet coloring on its head, crest, and upper body. In addition, they have buff coloring on their flanks, and a web of white markings on their heads, and the bill has a distinctive black outline.

Male Wood Duck. Image Credit | harrycollinsphotography

Key features to look out for in the female are: Principally brown and black-color with a grey head, plus a distinctive white patch around the eye. Specifically, note the thickness of the patch, and that the beak is surrounded by a white band which points slightly into the eye.

Female Wood Duck. Image Credit | AFGreen

MANDARIN DUCK

As their name alludes, Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata) are not native to the British Isles. They were introduced from China as ornamental birds for private collections, and escapees have gradually established themselves.

Male Mandarin Ducks have elaborate plumage and are arguably the most ornate ducks within the Anatidae family of birds.

Key features to look out for in the male are: Large orange feathers on their backs which almost have the appearance of sails. Additionally, the distinctive orange feathers on the side of their faces, together with a large white head patch. Of further note, the purple coloring on their chests, and the pale orange coloring on their flanks. Finally, they have plain pink beak

Female Mandarin Ducks are much plainer than the Males. Key features to look out for in the female are: Principally brown and black-color with a grey head, very similar to the Wood Duck. Additionally though, pay close attention to the white-colored ring around the eye, and the stripe which extends behind it. The stripe is significantly more delicate than on a Wood Duck. The flanks are mottled and significantly lighter than the upper parts. Note that, unlike the Wood Duck, there is a white line on each side of the beak, as opposed to being all the way around. Plus the line doesn’t point into the eye.