In the Baksa district of Assam, near Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, a rare Mandarin duck with bright, colorful plumage was spotted in the designated forest region. The sighting took place on December 18 about 3:20 PM and was confirmed by Edison Basumatary and Tomal Gogoi, researchers with the Manas Maozigendri Eco-Tourism Society (MMES). Since this is the first time the Mandarin duck has been spotted in Lower Assam, conservationists and birdwatchers are thrilled.
The Mandarin duck is indigenous to forested eastern Asian nations, including China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia. It is well known for having a unique and striking appearance. Reddish facial “whiskers,” orange feathers that resemble boat sails, a red bill, and a white crescent above the eye are characteristics of the male duck. The male has a deep purple chest with white bars, while the female has a lighter underbelly and a more subdued grayish tone with a white eye-ring.
After breeding in eastern Siberia, Japan, and China, these birds often spend the winter in milder regions like southern China and Japan. The presence of the Mandarin duck in Manas highlights the area’s growing significance for avian biodiversity and suggests that it is becoming a popular destination for migratory birds.Conservationists have hailed this discovery as a major turning point in the study and protection of Assamese wildlife.
