The white mandarin duck is a small waterfowl species that is closely related to the dabbling ducks, but with a slightly smaller body and shorter height. The male has a petite red bill, a large white crescent above the eye, and reddish facial markings. Its breast is purple with two white bars, and it sports two orange feathers that resemble boat sails. The female is similar to the female wood duck, with grayish-lavender plumage, a white eye-ring, and a pale bill tip. She also has a paler underside and a white flank stripe.