"Love Like Mandarins in the New Year"... Family of Natural Monument Mandarins Visits Cheongdocheon, Gyeongbuk

A family of mandarin ducks recently visited Cheongdocheon. [Image source=Cheongdo-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] Recently, over 100 Mandarin duck families, designated as Natural Monument No. 327, have flocked to the lower reaches of the Cheongdocheon River, which flows through the downtown area of Cheongdo-eup, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk.

Mandarin ducks are known since ancient times as birds symbolizing marital love and lifelong harmony because a male and female pair are seen walking affectionately together.

The Mandarin duck measures 43?51 cm in length and weighs 444?550 g, with the male displaying colorful plumage. Its beautiful appearance is characterized by various colors including elongated crests, white eye rings, orange feathers from the chin to the side of the neck, reddish-brown upper chest, yellow flanks, and vivid orange fan-shaped wing feathers. The female has a brown base with gray spots, a white belly, and distinct white eye rings.

Local residents said, "Mandarin ducks, which can be seen throughout Korea, have been visiting the Gyeongsan and Cheongdo areas in flocks of hundreds every year from November to December for over 10 years, staying for 2 to 3 months to spend the winter before moving elsewhere."

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