Yeah, the Mandarin Is Great, But Have You Seen a Wood Duck?

For weeks, New Yorkers and people across the internet have been agog at the striking sight of a Mandarin duck paddling around Central Park's ponds. But while its bright plumage might make it an Instagram star, the Mandarin is far from the only notable duck to grace the five boroughs.

As National Audubon Society editor Purbita Saha tells WNYC's David Furst, Central Park is great for waterfowl because of all the...water. The park is particularly good for duck watching, thanks to its many lakes and ponds, and is home to a variety of species including Wood Ducks, Northern Shovelers (of which Saha says "they look really normal, until you take a closer look at their schnozz") and Buffleheads. Saha says Jamaica Bay is worth a trip to try and spot a species of sea duck called the surf scoter.

"It has this clown-like face, so if you have a clown phobia, maybe stay away," Saha said. "And they kind of line up and just ride the surf."

For more tidbits about New York City's ducks, listen to the full interview above. And scroll down to look at these ducking beauties.

A Wood Duck.

(Harry Collins/Audubon Photography Awards)

A surf scoter

(Tom Benson /Flickr)

a Northern Shoveler

(Dave Inman/Flickr)

a Bufflehead

(Rick Leche )

Harlequin duck

(Nicole Beaulac/Flickr)