This reclusive duck has a unique ‘farmyard’ appearance. It features a distinctive white head that can be either clean or heavily speckled with black, depending on the bird’s age and sex. While resting or foraging, it appears mostly dark with noticeable white patches on the wings and head. In flight, the extensive white wing patches become particularly prominent. Mandarin Ducks prefer quiet, secluded forest waterways and are mostly active during dawn and dusk, seeking refuge in undisturbed areas of these habitats.