'It's spectacular': Bird watchers flock to Lake Michigan's shores for glimpse of elusive Mandarin duck

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's the newest celebrity to hit Milwaukee. 

With two legs, a colorful head and a shiny red beak, the Mandarin duck, a bird native to eastern Asia, is the talk of the town. 

It all started when Dexter Patterson posted a video on Twitter earlier this week, showing the waterfowl along the shores of Lake Michigan. 

LIFER ALERT! Who wants to help me find the Mandarin Duck? You ready? Let’s GO!!! #WiscoBirder ??????#BirdsofTwitter#Ducks#BirdTwitterpic.twitter.com/NzKz7EM5NS

— Dexter Patterson (Wisco Birder) ???? (@wiscobirder) January 12, 2023

Soon after, dozens of bird experts, fans and curious Milwaukeeans flocked together with cameras and binoculars, hoping for a glimpse.

The million-dollar question on the top of everyone's minds -- where did it come from?

While the answer currently remains unclear, Ryan Brady, a conservation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said it would be surprising if the bird actually hailed from Asia.

"This species isn't known for its very long-distance travels. It's not known for showing up in odd places out well outside of its wild range," Brady said. "It's rare to see one because they're typically found in Asia, but they're commonly kept in zoos and private collections. Anyone can purchase one as a pet."

Brady said while "a few" Mandarin ducks are spotted across the country each year, what's unusual about this specific situation is the fact it's shown up in a "high profile location."

"It's a fairly safe assumption that this bird escaped from captivity somewhere, most likely fairly close by," Brady said, noting the ducks are typically found in parts of Siberia, China and Japan.

For avid birders like Kimberly Mackowski of West Allis, spending time in the elements is a no-brainer when it comes to a chance of seeing the animal.

“I definitely would like to get some pictures of it and just to see it wandering around in person," Mackowski said. 

Peter Thornquist with the Milwaukee Audubon Society agreed, noting that he hopes "to see the duck coming up real soon."

“I came down here to find this duck, but I haven’t seen him today," Thornquist said. "It’s always fun to see something beautiful like that.”

Brady said he was "intrigued" by the high interest from the general public.

"I think people are so struck with how beautiful the bird is. It's the plumage, it is just spectacular," Brady said. "It's not like we're not used to seeing stuff that's very pretty. Just this is something new and different, even though it may not be of wild origin."

State officials said if you happen to see the duck, to keep your distance and not feed it.