Research Personnel Capture Secretary-necked Crane in Mottuo
China Southwest News Network—Tibet Daily
Images provided by the Regional Plateau Biological Research Institute
Secretary-necked Crane (also known as the Gray-necked Crane without Helmet), belongs to the crane family, is a typical tropical bird, native to Yunnan south adjacent, Tibet southeast, residing in tropical and subtropical mountain forest. It is a national second-level protected animal. In the winter bird monitoring of 2019, researchers in our area's Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve photographed the Secretary-necked Crane near Bloqhun Lake in Mottuo County. What are the unique breeding methods and lifestyles of the Secretary-necked Crane? Please follow the reporters to learn more.
In recent years, our area has continuously strengthened bird monitoring and protection. In this process, researchers have also made significant achievements. The Regional Plateau Biological Research Institute is a good example, and researchers have discovered various bird distributions since 2016, including the Scarlet Ibis, Indian Pond Heron, Gray Magpie, Blue Emerald and Black-backed Gull, in our area. In their view, the continuous discovery of bird distribution in our area indicates that there are still blank spaces in the investigation of our area's biological resources. With the continuous increase in research efforts, we believe that such discoveries will continue to increase.
In the winter of 2019, researchers photographed the Secretary-necked Crane near Bloqhun Lake in Mottuo County, Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve.
Secretary-necked Crane belongs to the crane family, the wrinkle-helmeted crane family. It is a large bird, with a body length of 96-110cm. The beak is huge and downward curved, without helmet spikes. Male birds have yellow beaks and red throat sacs, with brown heads, necks and chests, with belly patches, with the outer primary flight feathers having wide white tips, and the tail is half white at the tip. Female birds have black heads, necks and underbodies, with bare skin on the face being pale blue. It is known for its obvious wild characteristics and is easy to identify. Compared to other cranes, the Secretary-necked Crane prefers mountainous environments and resides at an altitude of 600-1800 meters in evergreen forests.
The reporter saw the Secretary-necked Crane perched on a tall branch, its color was conspicuous. Especially the huge mouth attracted a lot of attention, accounting for about 1/3 of its body. This large mouth plays a very important role for the Secretary-necked Crane.
In spring, the Secretary-necked Crane entered the breeding season. To avoid predators, the Secretary-necked Crane is very cautious when raising its young. Pairs of Secretary-necked Cranes will choose holes on tall tree trunks as nests—which is the future 'bedroom'. They build nests carefully, not only laying decayed wood at the bottom of the hole, but also laying soft feathers on top.
After the nest is built, they start laying eggs, generally one to two eggs per bird. 'The breeding methods of the Secretary-necked Crane are interesting. After the female bird lays eggs, the female and male birds will jointly block the entrance of the nest hole, 'sealing' the female bird inside.' Mr. Yang explained, 'Only a small hole is left to allow the female bird to extend its beak. During this time, the female bird's diet is entirely taken care of by the male bird. When the little crane hatches, the female bird will peck open the hole with its large mouth, which can help it avoid predators.'
From distribution, the Secretary-necked Crane is mainly distributed in southwestern China, Yunnan Xishuangbanna and Tibet southeast. Mr. Yang said, 'In 2017, we relied on the Ministry of Environmental Protection's Bird Diversity Demonstration Observation Project in Mottuo's survey did not find it, but after several years, we saw it, which was very surprising and unexpected.'
Locally, the people call the Secretary-necked Crane 'Roaring Bird'. 'Because it can emit a huge and penetrating cry, and when flapping its wings, it will make a very loud sound, almost like the sound of a tractor.' Mr. Yang explained.
