- Origin: Northeast Asia, introduced to Europe
- Class: Birds
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatides
This perching duck frequents freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes, with trees nearby. A good swimmer, it goes to depths in case of danger and flies no higher than the treetops. It can measure up to 50 cm and weigh 700 grams. Its lifespan is approximately 10-15 years in captivity. Omnivorous, it eats seeds, fruits, insects, as well as aquatic plants and small fishes.
This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, the male is distinguished by its vibrant, rainbow-colored plumage, while the female has more subdued tone, ranging from grey to brown. In late spring, the male loses its colorful plumage until the next breeding season in summer. The female lays between 7-12 eggs. The chicks remains in the nest for40-45 days before fledging.
This duck was found in Switzerland, a new pet (NAC) that poses a problem for the native species.