Captured from a WONDERFUL MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM title,
"Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Nature",
Dorling Kindersley Multimedia, 1995
PLUMAGE
MALE AND FEMALE birds often have different plumage. This difference is very noticeable in the mandarin duck. The male uses brightly colored feathers in the breeding season to attract a mate. The female's camouflaged plumage protects her while she incubates the eggs.
MALE MANDARIN
After the breeding season, the male mots his bright feathers and looks like the female.
FEMALE MANDARIN
The female's dull colors hide her from predators as she sits on the nest.
