Mandarin Aix galericulata

As this species declines in its native range, the introduced population in the UK thrives and now accounts for a significant proportion of the world wide population. An extremely popular bird in captivity and escaped individuals may be encountered almost anywhere.

In Norfolk Felbrigg Lake is probably the most reliable site for feral birds. The female below is from here but while the others may possibly have originated from a feral population they are more likely to be direct escapes from captivity.

Mandarin, South Creake, 21-Dec-06 Mandarin, South Creake, 21-Dec-06

male Mandarin, South Creake (Norfolk, UK), 21st December 2006

 

Mandarin, South Creake, 22-Jun-07 Mandarin, South Creake, 21-May-07

near-eclipse male Mandarin, South Creake (Norfolk, UK), 22nd June 2007

 

male Mandarin, South Creake (Norfolk, UK), 21st May 2007

Mandarin, South Creake, 22-Jun-07 Mandarin, South Creake, 22-Jun-07

near-eclipse male Mandarin, South Creake (Norfolk, UK), 22nd June 2007

 

Mandarin, Felbrigg, 1-Jan-09 Mandarin, Felbrigg, 1-Jan-09
Mandarin, Felbrigg, 1-Jan-09 Mandarin, Felbrigg, 1-Jan-09

female Mandarin, Felbrigg Lake (Norfolk, UK), 1st January 2009

 

Mandarin, Lowestoft, 05-Apr-03  

male Mandarin, Normanston Park, Lowestoft (Suffolk, UK), 5th April 2003

 

The following birds are still in captivity:

Mandarin, Blakeney Collection, 28-Feb-09 Mandarin, Blakeney Collection, 28-Feb-09
Mandarin, Blakeney Collection, 28-Feb-09 Mandarin, Blakeney Collection, 28-Feb-09

captive Mandarins, Blakeney Collection (Norfolk, UK), 28th February 2009

 

Mandarin, Blakeney Collection, 28-Feb-09  

captive Mandarin, Blakeney Collection (Norfolk, UK), 13th February 2010