Clutch size and nesting sites of the Mandarin DuckAix galericulata

Egg-laying, incubation and intraspecific nest parasitism by the Mandarin DuckAix galericulata

“…In other waterfowl, intraspecific nest parasitism has been shown to be disadvantageous due to the larger number of nest desertions produced ; 2' 10,14 however, desertion is very uncommon in the Mandarin Duck. 1 Unlike the Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, 15 the Mandarin Duck readily incubates large numbers of eggs with little effect on hatching success. Methods for the precise identification of the parentage of the embryos within a single clutch are essential to explore further the nature of intraspecific nest parasitism in the Mandarin Duck, and so to quantify the cost and benefits of this reproductive strategy for this cavity-nesting species.…”

“…1 In the Carolina Wood Duck, the larger clutch sizes are attributed to intraspecific nest parasitism: 2 more than one female lays into a nest site, termed dump nesting, 2' 3 but only one female incubates the clutch. Females usually lay into other nests before incubating a clutch of their own.…”

Water reservoirs as reservoirs of non-breeding waterfowl: the importance of shallow areas for maintaining diversity

“…Reservoirs with steep shorelines typically occur within mountainous areas. The habitat and habits of Mandarin Ducks are rather specific compared to other waterfowl species, in that this species inhabits forested areas and nests within tree cavities (Davies & Baggott 1989). During the winter, Mandarin Ducks utilize the acorns of oak trees (Haneda 1962), which should be more available at the reservoirs with steep banks adjacent to forests.…”