SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — In an unusual occurrence, a flock of about 200 mandarin ducks, designated as Natural Monument No. 327 in South Korea, was recently spotted near Yongbi Bridge along the Jungnang Stream in Seoul. While it’s common to see one or two mandarin ducks in the country, such a large group sighting is rare.
On January 18, Seongdong District Office reported that District Mayor Jung Won-oh had shared this news on social media on January 16. The mandarin duck, belonging to the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes, typically inhabits mountain valleys, streams, and reservoirs.
It’s estimated that only about 20,000 mandarin ducks remain worldwide. These birds are known for their lifelong pairing, symbolizing marital harmony and fidelity, a belief that has been passed down through generations.
Mandarin ducks are mainly found in East Asia, particularly in Korea and Japan, but have also been sighted in major cities in North America. In 2018, a male mandarin duck appeared in Central Park’s Duck Pond in New York City, garnering significant attention and trending on social media due to its rarity in North America.
“I received a message from Dr. Yoon Moo-boo, affectionately known as ‘the bird doctor,’ informing me of this significant sighting near the Yongbi Shelter under Yongbi Bridge in the Jungnangcheon Stream, a remarkable event for Seongdong,” shared Jung.
He further expressed his delight, stating, “It’s truly wonderful to see mandarin ducks, symbols of harmony and love, appearing in groups in Seongdong District. According to Dr. Yoon, while individual sightings in Seoul have been reported in the past, the appearance of such a large flock is unprecedented and therefore particularly meaningful.”
Jung also noted, “Seongdong District, bordered by the Jungnangcheon Stream, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the Han River, has the longest waterfront in Seoul, spanning 14.2 km. As such, it’s increasingly important for us to focus on caring for and exploring our river ecosystems in collaboration with the citizens.”
According to Jung, Dr. Yoon provided the district office with a video of the mandarin ducks, which he personally filmed. In the video, shared on the district office’s YouTube channel, Dr. Yoon remarked, “Such a large group appearance of mandarin ducks is unprecedented worldwide. They are truly rare and beautiful birds.”
In a conversation with JTBC news, Dr. Yoon mentioned that further research is needed to understand why these birds, which usually do not gather in large numbers, have appeared in such a big group this year.
Image credit: Seondong District Office, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
