Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # O_2015-01


 
Photos
Common name:

Mandarin Duck

Scientific name: Aix galericulata
Date: Spring 2015 (different dates)
Time: ( Series of photos at different times)
Length of time observed:  
Number: family
Age: Adults and immature
Sex: male and female
Location: Little Cottonwood Creek, Murray
County: Salt Lake
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: varied
Optical equipment:  
Weather:  
Light Conditions:  
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
photo-documenting a Breeding Mandarin Duck family in Salt Lake County this year.

See attached photo of the family: Breeding Adult Male and Female, with 2 offspring… Little Cottonwood Creek/Murray UT.
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior:  
Habitat:  
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
 
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
 
References consulted:  
Description from:  
Observer: Richard B. Young
Observer's address:  
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird:  
Date prepared:  
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: I believe my discovery and photo-documentation of this Mandarin family might be the first graphic evidence of Mandarins breeding in the wild in the Salt Lake valley.

Further, over the time I collected my ‘Mandarin Family’ images, I also photographed several different 1st Spring Male Mandarins at the same location.

The significance of my images of 1st Spring males (demonstrating varying degrees of maturity) would be: indirect evidence of other successful breeding within my study location!