Greg Gard passed along these photos of the male Mandarin Duck at James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen. He took the photos earlier this week. (Thanks, Greg!)
Mandarin Ducks are native to Asia and non-native here – this guy is likely either a released bird or an escapee.
Is this the same duck found on http://artonhudson.com/default.aspx
The duck has been hanging out with a couple of mallards by the Tappan Zee Bridge
Cute! Different colors makes him attractive.
The Mandarin’s have been at the park for at least 5 years now, the first time I saw them was 2008 while running around the lake during the summer. They hide in the southern part of the lake’s stone blocks towards the south/east entrance. The crevases between the stone blocks allow their heads to fit perfectly through as they swim under and go… into the unknown? Literally, they just disappear.