Netizens are going gaga over the vibrant mandarin duck being recently spotted floating on the Maguri beel near Baghjan in Upper Assam. The migratory bird was sighted by a survey team of Wildlife Trust India (WTI).
As per reports, the bird was first spotted on February 8 by a Tinsukia based Birdervand tour guide. Once the picture of the beautiful bird was posted on social media platforms, it became a hit. Reports suggest the bird has been sighted in the state after about a century. It was recorded in 1902 in Dibru river in the Rongagora area in Tinsukia.
Some bird experts have opined that probably the bird lost its way as the area is not among their usual stops.
The sighting of the bird has given a positive image to the area was affected by a blowout fire at a natural gas well located close by in May 2020.
The mandarin ducks are small exotic-looking ducks. Males are very ornate with big orangey “sail fins” on the back, streaked orangey cheeks, and a small red bill with a whitish tip. Female has narrow white spectacles on shaggy gray head, bold pale dappled spots along flanks, and pale bill tip. Mainly found in pairs or singly, but will gather in larger flocks over the winter; perches readily in trees over water.
The vibrant bird is native to East Asia, but has established feral populations throughout Western Europe.
Although the mandarin ducks are not an endangered species yet, spotting one of its kind is a big deal as you never know when you are going to see it again.
