Mandarin duck

Aix galericulata

Regarded by many as the world’s most beautiful duck, Mandarin ducks also make very brave little ducklings. They do not build traditional nests; instead they use cavities high up in a tree. Once the ducklings hatch, the female calls to them from the ground outside. The tiny ducklings use their sharp claws to climb up the inside of the tree to the opening, and then leap, from as high as 30ft (9m) above the ground!