World’s Most Endangered Bird, Gray Teal ‘Group’ Plays in Taihu Wetlands
World's Most Endangered Bird, Diving Duck – Gray Teal. Photo provided by the Heilongjiang Province Forestry and Grassland Bureau
Chinanet, Qiqihar, March 24 (Yu Xinyang, reporter Wang Lin Wang Nina) The Heilongjiang Province Forestry and Grassland Bureau issued a statement on March 24th, coinciding with the migratory season for birds. The world's most endangered bird, the Gray Teal – 'group' – appeared at the Taihu National Wetland Park in Qiqihar, leisurely swimming, nesting, and foraging. Currently, the number has reached over 30 individuals.
Gray Teal 'group' appears at Taihu wetland. Photo provided by the Heilongjiang Province Forestry and Grassland Bureau
As a border province of Heilongjiang, China is a key forestry region, possessing 'Earth's lungs' forests and 'Earth's kidneys' wetland resources, providing an ideal habitat for migratory birds. Since March, Heilongjiang has entered the bird migration season. At Taihu National Wetland Park, Gray Teals have gathered in flocks, swimming and foraging, attracting photographers to capture rare scenes.
Gray Teal leisurely swimming. Photo provided by the Heilongjiang Province Forestry and Grassland Bureau
As a world's most endangered bird, the Gray Teal is among the less than 1000 remaining globally. Gray Teals are migratory birds, migrating to the north to breed in mid-March, and to the south for wintering starting in mid-October, with a few delaying until early November. This bird species primarily feeds on aquatic plants and fish, shrimp, and shellfish, using diving to forage, and also directly extending its head to feed in shallow waters.
Migratory bird Gray Teal. Photo provided by the Heilongjiang Province Forestry and Grassland Bureau
According to Taihu wetland monitoring personnel, the bird population and numbers in this wetland park have increased year by year in recent years. Since 2015, there have been records of Gray Teal inhabiting this wetland, and the number has been increasing year on year. Taihu National Wetland Park is a national-level water conservation scenic area, and here, large flocks of Canada Geese, White Spoonbills, White Egrets, Black-faced Heron, Oriental White Stork and other birds reside, playing an important role in protecting biodiversity and ecological balance.
