Range expansion of the Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae) to the Lena River catchment, Siberia

• Main Author: Victor G. Degtyarev
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2015
• Subjects: Aix galericulata; breeding range; extent of occurrence; Lena River; Mandarin Duck; vagrancy; Ecology; QH540-549.5; General. Including nature conservation; geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; Aldan; lena river; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2384.7937-7939; https://doaj.org/article/76cc16327cdb4ca8ae04ffebf4f4b27f

Recently the Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata was observed beyond its known range of 60°N as pairs, individuals and small flocks along the upper and middle reaches of the Aldan River and its tributaries from spring to late autumn. Pairs and solitary males (all probably vagrant) were also recorded as far North as 61°-63°N. This species encounters appropriate habitats within the Prilenskoe Plateau, the Aldanskoe High Plateau, and the Yudomo-Mayiskoe High Plateau in the Lena River catchment, and can potentially breed within the extended range if the number in the Amur River basin increases .