Is this a Mandarin Duck? (1 Viewer)

[janruss]

Photo was taken at Kauai Lagoons Resort.

 

[Reader]

Photo was taken at Kauai Lagoons Resort.

I have never seen a Mandarin chick before but I must admit that Mandarin would have been my conclusion from this photo. I will look with interest to see if we are both right.

 

[Dimitris]

Is this the same bird as you other post janruss?

This looks like a Mandarin to me as well.

Regards,

Dimitris

 

[janruss]

No, Different bird but same location

Is this the same bird as you other post janruss?

This looks like a Mandarin to me as well.

Regards,

Dimitris

 

[KnockerNorton]

It's a male Mandarin going into eclipse plumage. It's not a juvenile. Note the ragged sail on the wing, showing it's coming out of adult male plumage and into adult male eclipse.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

It is a male mandarin going ito eclips plumage as the one in your other post , Janruss, but it does not look to be in very good shape...the feathers are quite abraded.

What is strange: I see only the primaries of one wing, none of the other. Allthough ducks loose all flight feathers during moult , this is generally quite equal on both wings. Therefore , could this be a pinioned bird that escaped from a collection?

 

[Katy Penland]

Yes, this is a collection bird in Hawaii at a resort.

 

[karenstephenson]

Is this a Mandarin moulting? How does one see the difference between moulting and a young duck just getting new plumage?

Thanks. Karen

 

[KnockerNorton]

Is this a Mandarin moulting? How does one see the difference between moulting and a young duck just getting new plumage?

Thanks. Karen

Bill offers a clue here - it is dark like a juv. Adults have pink/reddish bills, even in eclipse.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

No, adult bill can get quite a shade darker when moulting to eclipse plumage. See here for comparison:

http://flickr.com/photos/93372558@N00/614422696


http://bp1.blogger.com/_uB2_Jw3_7Js/RmLFDg1_INI/AAAAAAAAAEE/DNpmkA-VieI/s1600-h/mandy+in+moult.jpg


Your mandarin is a drake going into eclipse plumage.

A juvenile from this year wouldn´t yret show this much adult male plumage and wouldn´t look so worn.

 

[karenstephenson]

Thanks!

Anyone have a photo of a juvenile to compare to the adult drake? Or, perhaps more than one photo that shows different stages from chick to juvenile, or showing them just beginning to get the adult plumage??

How long do they keep the beautiful adult plumage??

Thanks. I'm just starting to learn more about birds and am in love with this Mandarin which I had never seen before until May. I'm hooked.

Karen