Mandarin Duck

Known to the Chinese as Yuan-yang, these birds are a symbol of affection and fidelity. The reason for this is that unlike other ducks, the drake reunites with the hen after the eggs have hatched and he aids in rearing the young. A close cousin of the Wood Duck, they are found in China, Japan, and Russia. However, captive birds occasionally escape and feral populations have been established in Europe and California. In Sonoma, a resident flock numbering a few hundred is well established and breeding.

Aix galericulata

Tying with Mandarin Feathers

Mandarin is similar to the Wood Duck, but has longer fibers, finer barring and smaller white bars. The uses certainly overlap and one can be exchanged for the other.

There are some classic salmon flies that specifically call for Mandarin.

One such pattern is The Mandarin Drake that uses what are often referred to as the “sails” on the back of the bird. These feathers have long fibers with white tips and are used similar to strips wing spey flies.

feather assortments
full skins
fly patterns
links to other exotics

Wild-type

Barring on Mandarin feathers is finer than that on Wood Ducks, so fine that to see any detail you need to click on the smaller thumnails to ope the large image.


lemon - $15/12 pack barred - $20/3 pr sails - $25/pr shoulders - $15/3 pr


lemon		barred		sail feathers		shoulders

White Mandarin

This is truly a beautiful bird. The vermiculation is a sort of ghost barring that will have a dramatic effect in a fly pattern. Click on the thumbnail to see the fine detail.


lemon - $25/12 pack barred - $35/3 pr sails - $40/pr shoulders - $20/3 pr


lemon		barred		sail feathers		shoulders

Feather Assortments

I'm putting together a few feather assortments and will get them up here as soon as I can. Be sure and check back, thanks.


set 1 - $ set 2 - $ set 3 - $ set 4 - $


set 1		set 2		set 3		set 4

Full Skins - Drakes

This is a game farm raised bird. He was an older breeder that died of natural causes. He is in good feather, no rub marks or ice damage. However, the bird is pinioned so it is missing the flight feathers on one wing.


$125

Full Skins - Hens

I have a nice hen in the freezer and hope to get to it soon. If it's something you've been looking for, or you want a pair, please contact me and I'll be glad to get to it right away!