学名：Aix galericulata
英文名：Mandarin Duck
分类：雁形目
鸳鸯，属雁形目中型鸭类，体长38～45cm，体重0.5kg左右。雌雄异色，雄鸟嘴红色，脚橙黄色，羽色鲜艳而华丽，头具艳丽的冠羽，眼后有宽阔的白色眉纹，翅上有一对栗黄色扇状直立羽，像帆一样立于后背，非常奇特和醒目，野外极易辨认。雌鸟嘴黑色，脚橙黄色，头和整个上体灰褐色，眼周白色，其后连一细的白色眉纹。每窝产卵7～12枚。杂食性。分布于中国、日本、韩国、朝鲜、俄罗斯。
The mandarin duck is a medium-sized duck which belongs to the order of anseriformes. The length of body is 38 ~ 45cm and the weight is about 0.5kg.Male and female are in different color, the mouth of male mandarin duck is red,feet are orange, feather is bright and luxuriant, it’s easy to recognize.The color of female is much more dark.The beak is black, the feet are orange, the head and the whole upper body is drab.There are 7 to 12 eggs in each nest.They are omnivorous and distributed in China, Japan, South Korea, north Korea, Russia.
Mandarin duck: the myth that has been around for a long time
在我国，二千多年前就有饲养鸳鸯的记载了。英文中，鸳鸯被译为：中国官鸭。鸳，雄鸟；鸯，雌鸟。这两个字亲密无间，像它们紧紧靠在一起，互相依靠，互相取暖。雌鸳鸯，淡装素抹，外形与普通鸭子没什么两样。而雄鸳鸯，则华丽无比。头部的冠羽色彩较深，并泛着金属般的光泽：绿、白、褐、红、黄……油亮四射，光彩耀眼，仿佛油画一般。
鸳鸯主要栖息于山地、森林、河流、湖泊、水塘、芦苇沼泽和稻田中，冬季多栖息于开阔的湖泊、江河和沼泽地带。除繁殖期外，常成群活动，特别是迁徙季节和冬季，集群多达50～60只，有时近100只。它们善游泳和潜水，也可以在地上活动、觅食。性机警，遇人惊扰立即起飞，并发出尖细的声音报警。
鸳鸯多营巢在树上，巢距水面足有7～8m。鸳鸯幼雏从高高的巢上“高台跳水”般跃入水中——不用担心，有草柯浮在水面，能稳稳地接住它们。这是它们的训练必修课。
鸳鸯是我国著名的观赏鸟类，经常出双入对。雄鸳鸯还不时细心地为雌鸳鸯梳理羽毛，深情款款，含情脉脉，仿佛做着世界上最幸福的事儿。那情景，不禁令人想起卢照邻的诗句：“得成比目何辞死，愿作鸳鸯不羡仙。”在中国神话传说和文学作品中，人们也常常把鸳鸯看成忠贞爱情的象征。但是，事实并非如此。鸳鸯并不是终身配偶制，而是在生殖周期内一种临时配偶的鸟类——俗称：露水夫妻。
进入繁殖期，雄鸳鸯亦步亦趋，向雌鸳鸯示爱。一旦组成家庭，它们便上演人们常见的“爱情交响曲”。不过很快，家庭的重担就落在雌鸳鸯的身上了。比如，营巢、孵化、育雏，都是雌鸳鸯的事儿。雄鸳鸯呢？另寻新欢去了。雌鸳鸯想想真是无趣。事已至此，便也欢欢喜喜另寻他人去啦——好潇洒的一对鸟儿！
There is a record of raising mandarin ducks two thousand years ago in China.The mandarin duck is translated as Chinese official duck in English.The female mandarin duck looks like the ordinary duck.The male mandarin duck is gorgeous.The crown of the head is darker and has a metallic luster: green, white, brown, red, yellow...which is bright and radiant, as if it are oil painting.
During the breeding season, mandarin ducks are mainly found in mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, ponds, reed swamps and rice paddies. Inhabited in open lakes, rivers and swamps in winter.In addition to the breeding season, there are often groups of activities, especially during the migration season and winter, the group has 50 ~ 60 members, sometimes nearly 100.They are good swimmers and snorkelers. They can also move and feed on the ground.They are so alert that they will take off immediately when meet people, and make the sharp voice to alarm.
The nest is in the tree which is also in the height of 7 ~ 8mters from water.The young mandarin duck dive from the high nest to the water,there are grass floating on the surface of the water, which can catch them firmly.This is a compulsory course for them.
Mandarin duck is a famous ornamental bird in our country.The male mandarin duck is also carefully carding the feathers for the female, as if doing the happiest thing in the world.In Chinese myths and legends and works of literature, mandarin ducks are often seen as a symbol of faithful love.But that's not the case.The mandarin duck is not a lifelong spouse, but rather a temporary spouse in the reproductive cycle.
Entering the breeding season, the male mandarin duck follow to the female mandarin duck to show love.Once a family is formed, they perform the common "symphony of love".But soon the burden is all fell on the female such as nesting, hatching, brooding.What about mandarin ducks?It is looking for a new one,and so is female .What a free pair of birds they are!