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Mandarin duck couple in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. /VCG
If you are a male mandarin duck, you need maximum effort in the spring, as it is the busiest and most important season of the year.
During March and April, male mandarin ducks put on colorful "tuxedos" (well, they aren't always so colorful all year round) to find their true love. When dating, they are perfect valentines. This is why mandarin ducks were a symbol of long-lasting love in ancient China. Slide through the gallery to see how the mandarin duck gentleman treats his date ... you will be jealous:
A mandarin duck couple having a sweet moment in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
A mandarin duck couple having a sweet moment in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
A mandarin duck couple having a sweet moment in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
A mandarin duck couple having a sweet moment in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
A mandarin duck couple having a sweet moment in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
Male mandarin ducks are not so gentle to everyone. When it comes to the same gender, valentines turn to gladiators. You cannot blame them for violence: male mandarin ducks have to fight to get a wife, and also have to fight to keep her. Despite their small stature, they battle fiercely.
Male mandarin ducks fight in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
Male mandarin ducks fight in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
Male mandarin ducks fight in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
Male mandarin ducks fight in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
It's not grooming, it's fighting! /VCG
"Keep away from my wife, you hear me!?" /VCG
"Come if you dare!" /VCG
"All for my Juliet ..." /VCG
Sometimes the battle scene gets funny ...
Male mandarin ducks fight in Zhaolin Park, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, March 30, 2020. /VCG
A cruel fact is, these Romeos are not as loyal as legends have it. Male mandarins do love their partners, but only for one breeding season. It is highly likely that they go find a new "true love" next year, without feeling guilty. Most mandarin ducklings do not have the opportunity to meet their father. A male mandarin ducks may keep his partner company for a time during incubation, but will leave before the ducklings hatch and never returns.
(Cover photo via VCG)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)