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[feline groovy]

hope the poor guy is taken care of and gets his lifetime mate

*special alert to @Bird mama and @chickenbutt

A lone and rare Mandarin duck mysteriously appears in New York's Central Park - and city officials have no idea how it got there

• Lone male duck has been spotted several times in Central Park in recent weeks
• The Mandarin duck is not a common species in the United States
• The duck has been spotted swimming in a pond in the park's southeast corner near 59th and Fifth Avenue for the past few days 
• New Yorkers and tourists have since been flocking to the pond daily to catch a glimpse of the now famous animal
• The ducks are known for their multicolored feathers and pink bill 

DailyMailUK | UPDATED: 18:33 EDT, 1 November 2018  

A rare Mandarin duck has mysteriously appeared in New York's Central Park.

The lone male duck, which is not a common species in the U.S., has been bizarrely spotted several times in the middle of Manhattan in recent weeks.

Mandarin ducks, which are native to East Asia, are known for their multicolored feathers and pink bill.  

The duck was first spotted on October 10, according to a Twitter account that tracks bird sightings in Central Park. 

It disappeared for several weeks before reemerging last week in a pond in the park's southeast corner near 59th and Fifth Avenue.

New Yorkers and tourists have since been flocking to the pond daily to catch a glimpse of the now famous duck.

It is not clear how the lone duck arrived in New York but some have noted that he appears to be able to fly, which is something most domestic duck can't do. 

It means the bird could have potentially flown in from a nearby city with some bird-watchers saying it was likely the duck had been making trips to and from the Hudson River. 

City officials have said the Mandarin duck did not come any nearby zoos.

Photos of the rare duck appear to show it wearing a rubber band around its right leg, meaning it could be a domestic pet.

It is illegal for someone to privately own a duck as a pet in New York City. 

Park officials do not plan on removing the duck unless it appears to fall ill or gets in danger.  

[Cakers3]

Beautiful.  Thank you.

I'm bothered that he has a band-somebody had this duck someplace, out of his element and alone. 

[phoenixbrd]

The salt-water fish is to the ocean that the mandarin duck is to the pond....just stunning! Thanks for this share. 

[Kachina624]

That bird has been all over the news; I bet I've seen 6 reports on it.  A refreshing change from all the political ads.

[Zernia Rose]

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos; they are so uplifting!  I'm cherishing nature more given the number of species that are disappearing.  

[mintedrose]

Oh my! They are sooo gorgeous and i cant stop looking at them. I love them! I dont like that it has a band on but I hope it enjoys being the star of nyc for as long as possible. 

[Drythe]

Thank you @feline groovy ,

I had not heard anything of this beauty.

So very lovely he is.  Wish I could simply enjoy knowing of his presence without worrying about his safety.

The recent meanness which seems to prevail has made me anxious for the safety, and well being of everyone.  

May he be safe,

May he be well,

May he know only kindness,

May he have Peace.

[Kachina624]

That duck looks like he was designed and painted by a committee of kindergartners.

[Justice4all]

They better put a guard on that duck

                          In memory of newziesuzie

[KingstonsMom]

How beautiful!