#sonybirds

Morning Mr Mandarin by Chris Reedy Via Flickr: Male Mandarin ( Aix galericulata ) taken at Reddish Vale Country Park a couple of weekends ago, managed to catch him just as the early morning light was hitting Sunnyside Pond. The male mandarin duck has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity.