A small flock of mandarin ducks was spotted in the northwest Fujian village of Zhongxi by a Xinhua News Agency journalist on Nov 30. Amongst monotonous winter colors, the ducks' gorgeous plumage certainly stands out.
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Wild mandarin ducks cruise along a creek. [Photo by Peng Zhangqing/Xinhua] |
Every year, the wild ducks migrate to the Zhongxi village, nestled in a hilly basin, to spend the winter months. The region has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 16.8 degrees centigrade and, consequently, the valley remains green and habitable for ducks.
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Wild mandarin ducks take a rest on tree branches in a waterside forest. [Photo by Peng Zhangqing/Xinhua] |
Native to East Asia, including, China, Japan, Korea, and southeast Russia, mandarin ducks have been exported all over the world and now boast large populations in Europe and North America.
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Wild mandarin ducks splash off from Fujian waters. [Photo by Peng Zhangqing/Xinhua] |
