The Male Mandarin Duck!

You can’t mistake
this startling drake
that on his wings
has orange things
(you may observe
them raised like sails,
with upward curve).
Black eyes are bright
in patches white,
and on his head
some green and red,
(or is his crown
more purplish-brown?)
with drooping crest.
A purple breast
but sides of yellow
with stripes of white
and blue – he’s quite
a dazzling fellow!
His bill is pink,
his tail like ink.
His whiskery neck
has chestnut fleck –
a striking sight!
His tummy’s white;
his back is green.

So, have you seen
this famous bird?
or have you heard
him whistle, cluck,
this Mandarin duck?

– or rather, drake?
(You can mistake
the duck, – she’s pale,
without a sail.)