Mandarin Duck Picture from Lazienki Park, Warsaw, Poland

About the Picture

What a beautiful bird, so vibrant and unique. Actually, Mandarin Duck, that’s how it’s called, or it’s scientific name “Aix galericulata” is one of the most colorful birds in the world.

As the name suggests, it’s native to East Asia, however it can be spotted in some locations across Europe and so they can be found in Warsaw, Poland. I had a chance to photograph them during winter in Lazienki Park (“Łazienki Królewskie”), an important historic landmark in Warsaw.

But let’s talk about this beautiful bird, some interesting facts about the bird and how we, people perceive and symbolism we attach to Mandarin ducks throughout centuries.

In China, Mandarin ducks symbolize love and fidelity, this belief spread across other Asian countries. At the wedding they were handled as gifts that’s also why you can find many gifts, wooden carved ducks that are being given at the wedding.

The symbolism travels and changes, develops and being adapted, because of that in Western cultures, thanks to such a vibrant appearance, they are associated with prosperity and good fortune.

Either way, being a symbol of a happy marriage, a lovely life in harmony, adding to it good fortune and prosperity, I wish I had some of those ducks around me, and of course, they are beautiful!

An interesting fact about these birds is that they tend to sleep on tree branches. They have strong claws that help them grip branches, and by doing so they like to sleep on trees to avoid predators.

The female duck is the boss and she’s the one that chooses where the nest is going to be. She can be so picky and choose location even 30 feet from the ground (approximately 9 meters).

Can you believe what an adventurous life ducklings have after hatching, when they have to jump from these high nests to the ground? That’s a bold start!

In Lazienki Park in Warsaw, you can find not only them, it’s a place where you can find squirrels, peacocks and especially in winter, tranquility and peace. It’s very popular park in the summer months, but winter is not extremely popular, a great place for reflection and enjoying the feeding season.

Feel free to download this free picture of Mandarin duck and use it on your blog, spreading some bird love and prosperity around.