I was in Kensington Gardens yesterday and saw this beautiful water bird standing on top of a post. I am relatively new to birding and had not seen one like this before.
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| Mandarin drake starting to go into eclipse plumage |
I asked if anyone could identify it and, thankfully, Ralph from the Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park blog has told me that it is a Mandarin drake that is beginning to lose his fine feathers and going into winter mode. I am very grateful for the information.
The Mandarin was having a bad hair day.
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| Mandarin drake with ruffled head feathers |
He needed to have a good brush-up and was shaking his head quite violently as he worked hard on his feathers.
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| Mandarin drake in preening mode |
He spent time preening all over his body.
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| Mandarin drake preening his tummy |
I watched him for ages.
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| Mandarin drake preening back feathers |
He has gorgeous feathers. What a beautiful bird!
It's a Mandarin drake beginning to lose his fine breeding plumage and going into eclipse. Later he will look much like a female, and this will last till late winter when his ornamental feathers grow again. Immature Mandarin drakes also have less impressive plumage, but I think this is one that was in full finery and has begun to shed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ralph. I was beginning to think that it was similar to a Mandarin, but have only ever seen them in immaculate condition before. It got me very confused. Regards, TwistedClassics
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