Mr and Mrs Mandarin Duck
A pair of Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata). It was nice to get both male and female in the same shot, to illustrate the amazing difference in colours and form.
The male has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity.
