A rare mandarin duck native to Asia recently found its way to Delaware County and has taken up residence in Ridley Park Lake, writes Taylor Horn for NBC Philadelphia.

The chubby newcomer has puffy orange cheeks and gorgeous feathers that range from emerald to violet to royal blue. It’s possible that the duck is somebody’s escaped pet.

“The mandarin duck is a spectacular sight!” said Brian Quindlen, who runs a Delaware County birding club.

The duck is extremely rare in the U.S., according to Keith Russell, program manager for urban conservation at the Valley Forge Audubon Society of Pennsylvania. He said that while they are related to the North American Wood duck, mandarin ducks are actually native to East Asia.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which was contacted by Richard Tutak, the Borough Manager for Ridley Park, the mandarin duck roaming around Delaware County is not endangered or threatened.

News of its arrival is already spreading through social media.

“The mandarin duck is one of the most colorful and most ornate ducks in the world,” said Russell.

Read more about Ridley Park’s new resident at NBC Philadelphia by clicking here.

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