Mandarin Ducks are colorful ducks living primarily in East Asia (Japan, Korea, and China). Some have spread out, forming small colonies in Europe and even in the United States. In North America, there are Wood Ducks which are related to them and look quite alike, except for coloration.
I have been searching for these ducks to photograph but have not encountered one yet in New Jersey. I took the following photos of a Wood Duck and a pair of Mandarin Ducks at the Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL.
Male Wood Duck at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL.
Pair of dozing Mandarin Ducks at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL.
neihtn 
I love these ducks. Great photos 😀
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Thanks!
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Wood ducks are of my favorite ducks (simply beautiful)…I’ve never seen a Mandarin duck before, similar but a bit more exotic 🙂
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I was surprised how similar these two species of ducks were in all but colors. MY goal next spring and summer is to find a Wood Duck in our area. They are around but hunters scare them away, and probably decimate their population.
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Agree, these two species look so similar, but the contrast is also very striking too. My Dad built Wood duck boxes along a pond and has families coming in every year. His rule is “no Wood duck hunting” which so far everyone is paying attention to 🙂 Beautiful birds.
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I love both the Wood Duck and Mandarin Ducks. Here, Wood Ducks are less common, so it’s very interesting to see them through your lens 🙂
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I didn’t know about the different colors between these two kinds of ducks until I looked at these two photos together. Takami, thanks for commenting!
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Very nice shots! So you visited my “backyard”! I have to go there again and take some pictures of all the animals 🙂
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Thanks Tiny! Wow, I wish my “backyard” were the Busch Gardens. 🙂
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We live about 50 min drive from there, but still somehow don’t visit very often…I need to change that 🙂
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Those Mandarin ducks are especially colorful with their plumage around their neck. Gorgeous!
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Sue, they are the most colorful ducks, and you don’t have to pay them for taking their pictures! 🙂 My problem is in finding them, or at least the Wood Duck,around here.
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Sorry about my typo,Hien.it shoul be dozing,you can edit it,if you don’t mind.Thank you.
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Done, Doda!
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Grateful thanks 🙂
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Παρακαλώ!
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Oh,your Greek is better than mine,dear Hien 🙂
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Wish that were true! 🙂 I used Google to translate English into Greek.
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🙂
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Fabulous birds with showy plumage!The male Wood Duck is so similar to the male Mandarin Duck and equally beautiful!The dozing off couple is really fascinating,Hien!Both photos are gorgeous and clearly show the different characteristics plumage-wise.The female Mandarin’s plumage is so “quiet”.
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Thanks Doda. Maybe I’ll see a Wood Duck here in 2016!
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