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Aix galericulata (female)


Aix galericulata (female)
Photo Information
Copyright: Nemes Septimiu (septimiu_nemes) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 0 N: 371] (2159)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Sony Cibershot H2
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-15 1:32
Viewed: 500
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)-female.

The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), or just Mandarin, is a medium-sized perching duck, closely related to the North American Wood Duck. It is 41-49 cm long with a 65-75 cm wingspan.

The adult male is a striking and unmistakable bird. It has a red bill, large white crescent above the eye and reddish face and "whiskers". The breast is purple with two vertical white bars, and the flanks ruddy, with two orange "sails" at the back. The female is similar to female Wood Duck, with a white eye-ring and stripe running back from the eye, but is paler below, has a small white flank stripe, and a pale tip to its bill.

The species was once widespread in eastern Asia, but large-scale exports and the destruction of its forest habitat have reduced populations in eastern Russia and in China to below 1,000 pairs in each country; Japan, however, is thought to still hold some 5,000 pairs.[3]

Specimens frequently escape from collections, and in the 20th century a feral population numbering about 1,000 pairs was established in Great Britain. Although this is of great conservational significance, the birds are not protected in the UK since the species is not native there.

In the wild, Mandarin Ducks breed in densely wooded areas near shallow lakes, marshes or ponds. They nest in cavities in trees close to water. Shortly after the ducklings hatch, their mother flies to the ground and coaxes the ducklings to leap from the nest. The Asian populations are migratory, overwintering in lowland eastern China and southern Japan.

Mandarins feed by dabbling or walking on land. They mainly eat plants and seeds, especially beechmast. They feed mainly near dawn or dusk, perching in trees or on the ground during the day.

Mandarins may form small flocks in winter, but rarely associate with other ducks.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .
Argus, oanaotilia, siggi, Morigann, maurydv, jaycee, ferranjlloret, boreocypriensis, haraprasan, Gert-Paassen, Adanac, Noisette has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3750 W: 187 N: 11171] (34499)
  • [2009-01-15 3:34]

Hello Septimiu,
A fine close portrait of a female Mandarin Duck showing the head, neck and from part of the body with excellent sharpness and set in a pleasing composition.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1338 W: 56 N: 4515] (15556)
  • [2009-01-15 4:05]

Hello Nemes,
nice portrait of mandrain duck,nicely composed,good eye contact,natural colours,
Best regards Siggi

Hello Nemes,
Lovely portrait of this Mandarin Duck. Superb colors and niced composed.
Well done,
Regards
Pierre

Hello Septimiu,
nice portrait of a female Mandarin Duck; what lovely warm colours in this pleasing diagonal composition with a good OOF natural BG; very beautiful capture with a good sharpness.
TFS and regards.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 0 N: 913] (5062)
  • [2009-01-15 6:23]

Un portret frumos despre rata mandarina, culorile sunt stranii, cum de fapt este si aceasta specie.

hello Septimiu
good shot
nice colours and sharpness
greeting lou

Hello Nemes

A lovely portrait of this beautiful female Mandarin duck.
The plumage detail is very good.
Wonderful colours and lighting,it really enhances the surroundings.
Great job.
TFS

Wolf

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-01-15 9:32]

Hi Septimiu,

A beautiful profile view of this Mandarin Duck. Wonderful details and colors of her face and plumage. I love the composition and the lovely colorful background.

Jane

Hello Nemes,
Excellent portrait of a female of this interesting Mandarin Duck, very good composition.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards. Ferran

Hi Septimiu, an excelent portrait of a beautiful mandarin duck from a nice POV with wonderful details, sharpness and composition.
TFS this beauty MF!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Nemes,
A nice capture of this Mandarin duck. Superb composition and lovely details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Septimiu, fantastic portrait with splendid colorful BG, fine details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Septimiu,

what a good portrait of this duck.
It have good details with nice pov and also good dof.

Beautiful colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5207] (17607)
  • [2009-01-15 17:39]

Hello Nemes, A wonderful portrait of this beautiful species. Details and colors are spot on, thank you Nemes.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
  • [2009-01-15 23:07]

Oh yes, Mrs Mandarin Duck . I've seen them look more grey than brown.
They are such sweet looking birds and even though the males are quite attractive, I do prefer the females' looks.
Well captured
Janice

hello septimiu
Great portrait with a good point of view of this mandarin duck
good focusing on his eye
very well done
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 524 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2009-01-17 21:25]

Buna Septimiu,

Ai realizat un portret frumos al acestei rate dintr-un POV interesant. Culorile penajului sunt foarte frumoase si se armonizeaza bine cu fundalul interesant.

TFS si toate cele bune,
Cristian

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