Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata

Scarce breeding birds of 30,000 pairs in Britain and common at Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean.

 Native of China & Eastern Asia.

The Male's breast is purple with two vertical white bars, the flanks ruddy, and has two orange 'sail' feathers at the back (modified 12th secondary flight feathers whose enlarged medial vane sticks up similar to boat sails.

The Female is similar to the Female Carolina Wood Duck, with greyish-brown plumage, and a slender white eye-ring and stripe running back from the eye.

The Female is paler on the underside, has a small white flank stripe, and a pale tip to its bill.