Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Mario on October 12, 2008, 10:15:23 PM

Title: Mandarin Duck - Mississauga
Post by: Mario on October 12, 2008, 10:15:23 PM

This Mandarin Duck appeared today on the pond close to my house. He behaves just like the local Mallards, feeds and even fights with them. It is the first time I see this bird in the wild (he is probably an escapee) and I wonder if he can survive over the winter.
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo183740.htm (http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo183740.htm)

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Post by: -D- on October 14, 2008, 05:31:24 PM

I've seen a tonne of Mandarins in Berlin which, although doesn't get quite as cold as minimum Toronto temps, does get below freezing.  With some good Mallard company, perhaps he'll be okay?

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Post by: Mario on October 14, 2008, 06:59:13 PM

Thanks D. This is encouraging.

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Post by: Carl-Adam on October 15, 2008, 01:11:41 PM

Very nice mario.

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Post by: Axeman on October 16, 2008, 11:04:27 AM

Very nice pic....whereabouts in Mississauga did you spot it? Wondering if Mandarin ducks make good Peking ducks...that umm...was an attempt at humour.

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Post by: Bird Brain on October 28, 2008, 12:12:10 AM

Hi Mario.   :)   Absolutely beautiful picture!  

Is he still there?

I went to see if I could spot him yesterday but Mother Nature had other ideas and absolutely poured rain upon my arrival at the pond/marsh!  Arrgh!

Title: HI
Post by: dee@post on October 28, 2008, 08:57:54 AM

I am new in the area and would love to be able to add the manadarin duck to my life list.  Could you please tell me which pond this was?

thank you

Dee

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Post by: Bird Brain on October 30, 2008, 01:11:25 PM

Dee ... sent you a PM.

 :)

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Post by: Anonymous on October 30, 2008, 10:23:05 PM

Great picture Mario, and a great find! Hopefully the beaut comes accross the pass of a Harlequin - now that would be a great shot. :)

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Post by: GBLangley on November 11, 2008, 05:07:26 AM

Regarding whether a manadrin can survive the winter?

Assuming the watr doesn't freeze and he moves on... yes definitely.

There's a colony in Lawiensky Park in warsaw, Poland that survives, and grows, despite winters of -20C at times.

And I've been to Northern China. unless you come from Canada, which of course most of you do, (but we Western Europeans are less hardy) you wouldn't believe how cold it is there in winter.

We get Mandarins on our local pond in the UK. The British feral population now represents a significant percentage of the world's birds. They are fabulous birds and the Chinese Manadrin costume with the 'wings' at the back of the belt and the high collars was designed to look like the bird. Hence its a bird with a touch of regal history.

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Post by: Andrew McKinley on November 12, 2008, 09:37:51 AM

Can someone PM me the location if he is still around?
Are people counting this one as a rare migrant or an escapee? I would think he has escaped a farm....

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Post by: Bird Brain on November 12, 2008, 10:51:18 AM

I guess my PMS scares even ducks away as he's sadly long gone from the area.

 :shock:   :cry: