Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Mandarin page 2 |
At Martinmere Mandarins breed well. They
are provided with large barrells to nest in and many of them are used
but the females also nest out doors. Just before the ducklings are due
to hatch the eggs are taken to the nursery where they are reared away
from the dangers of predating gulls. The ducklings in the photo below
are only a few days old. |
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Once the males role has been fulfilled he begins
his autumn moult. During this time he sheds all his breeding plumage
and cannot fly. The whole process takes several weeks and during that
time he can look very odd indeed. |
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Once the male has shed all of his feathers than
he looks very similar to the female. He is recogniseable from his browner
appearance and redder bill. The photo below shows the male in full eclipse
plumage (front) and the female (behind) |
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It isnt long though before the male grows his
feathers back and he looks stunningly beautiful once more! |
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