Database: A Mated Pair of Mandarin Ducks

A painting of two mandarin ducks, a bonded male and female, cleaning one another as they swim together in a pond.

In Chinese and Japanese culture, mandarin ducks are believed to be extremely faithful to their partners and are seen as symbols of love, devotion, affection, and fidelity. Like other social animals, bonded ducks will clean one another's feathers as a means of protecting their health and deepening their connection.