Enthusiastic birdwatchers from far and wide have flocked to Hlawga Park to see a very rare mandarin duck, that has arrived for winter migration, according to a park official.
The mandarin duck is a waterfowl duck species, a migratory bird rarely seen in Myanmar, and its beauty is very distinct from other bird species as it is colourful with sail fins on its back.
A mandarin duck, that visited Hlawga Park last year, arrived again on 17 December, attracting many bird enthusiasts who came to watch and make a documentary.
“There is no record of a migrating mandarin duck in Hlawga Park. This is a new record that was documented in last January. This bird is not very rare in the world, but it rarely comes to Myanmar for winter migration. So, it is difficult to see it. There are records of seeing it in Kachin state and people had to go there with great difficulties. Birdwatchers are now very interested in it. Even people from Bago have come to see it,” he said.
As the Hlawga Park also has other beautiful migratory birds in addition to the mandarin duck, birdwatchers are invited to observe them, and there are about 300 to 1000 visitors to the park every day, he added.
“Its appearance is so beautiful and attractive that all birdwatchers cannot wait to see it and they tend to come right away,” he said.
MT/ZN