Mandarin Duck Facts
The vividly colored Mandarin duck from China and Japan nests in trees, which might seem unusual for a duck with webbed feet. However, the Mandarin is part of a family of perching ducks that have strong claws, allowing them to grip tree trunks.
When the eggs are laid, both parents take part in hatching them. Due to the affection these ducks display towards one another, the Chinese regard them as a symbol of a happy marriage.
Mandarin ducks are quite unique in nesting habits, particularly for being waterfowl that nest in trees. Other tree-nesting, web-footed species include,
Other ducks that live in trees
- Wood Ducks: Found in North America, wood ducks nest in tree cavities similar to mandarins, often near water.
- Common Goldeneyes: These ducks also use tree cavities for nesting, especially in boreal forests near lakes and rivers.
- Mergansers: Certain species, like the Hooded Merganser in North America, also prefer tree cavities for nesting and have webbed feet suited to both diving and swimming.
- African Pygmy Goose: This small species, native to sub-Saharan Africa, can occasionally nest in tree cavities close to water.
Many web-footed birds rely on ground nesting, so finding tree-nesting species with webbed feet is somewhat rare. For species like these, nesting in trees provides safer habitats away from ground predators.