The Leap of Faith: Mandarin Ducks and the Miracle of Tree-Nesting

Have you ever seen the YouTube videos or David Attenborough’s footage of a female mandarin duck calling her ducklings from a tree cavity? One by one, these tiny, fluffy balls of joy hurl themselves into the unknown—bouncing a few times on the ground before scrambling up to follow their mother.

Your heart races. You shout at the screen, clutch your fists, or even stand up, ready to dash to the nearest nesting box to save these precious cuties. "Where are they? Where is that tree?!" you cry—only to realize: you’re not needed. Nature doesn’t need a hero. It doesn’t even need you. Sit back down and relax… because nature does just fine on its own.

If the pandemic lockdowns taught us anything, it was that nature thrives when its top predator—humans—steps back. The air became cleaner, some rare wild flowers were discovered on industrial estates, some animals dare to explore beyond their territory. 

Why Old Trees Matter

Mandarin ducks, like their relatives the Wood duck (Aix sponsa), rely on tree cavities for nesting. The mother waits until all her ducklings have hatched, then makes the leap herself, calling her brood to follow. One by one, they jump, bounce, and scurry after her, guided by instinct to the nearest pond. They can feed themselves from birth—nature has equipped them with all the knowledge they need.

So, the next time you see a duckling take that terrifying leap of faith, remember: nature has it covered.

Paula Kuitenbrouwer

~artist at www.paulakuitenbrouwer.com~

Contact me freely at artisans@handmadeluxuryhome.eu with your questions.