Mandarin Duck Diet

The mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is a species of duck native to China, though now it can be found throughout most parts of Asian, eastern Russia and southern England. The male mandarin duck is brown and maroon with black and white markings and a striking red bill. The females are more muted and brown, gray or green/brown in color. The mandarin duck is an omnivore, eating animals as well as plant matter and its diet varies depending on the season.

  1. Seeds

    • The mandarin duck's diet mainly consists of seeds, acorns and grain, especially in the fall. The mandarin duck is particularly fond of beech mast seeds, rice and buckwheat.

    Plants

    • The mandarin duck eats many kinds of vegetation including roses, horsetails, grapes, rhododendrons and pines. It also eats a variety of aquatic vegetation and plant seeds.

    Insects

    • Mandarin ducks commonly eat insects during the springtime months. The mandarin duck is known to feed on grasshoppers, crickets and dew worms. Mandarin ducks also eat insect larvae usually found beneath rocks

    Small Animals

    • The mandarin duck feeds on small animals during the spring. These animals include snails and other mollusks, crabs, small snakes, fish and frogs.

    Feeding Habits

    • Mandarin ducks usually feed while walking outside of the water. They scavenge for food most commonly during dusk and dawn and rest during the daylight hours, usually on the ground or in tree branches.