Tundra Swans Spotted at Yellow River Wetland in Mengjin

Tundra Swans Spotted at Yellow River Wetland in Mengjin

洛阳市孟津区黄河湿地美好生态引来小天鹅“做客”

On February 22, about 102 tundra swans were spotted foraging in the Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve in Mengjin district of Luoyang city, Central China's Henan province, creating a beautiful natural scenery. It is the first time that such a large population of tundra swans has inhabited the wetland.

2月22日下午，在河南省洛阳市孟津区黄河湿地国家级自然保护区会盟段宽阔的黄河夹心滩水域，有两群共102只小天鹅“做客”，它们悠闲地觅食、追逐，形成了一道亮丽风景。这么大的小天鹅种群在该湿地栖息尚属首次，十分罕见。

Tundra swans spotted at Yellow River Wetland in Mengjin. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]

Except for their relatively small size and shorter neck and beak, tundra swans, a bird belonging to the family Anatidae and a class-II protected species in China, share many similarities with whooper swans, such as white feathers and black flippers.

据了解，小天鹅是国家二级重点保护动物，属雁形目鸭科鸟类，小天鹅与大天鹅相比，除体形相对较小、颈部和嘴部相对较短外，外形上的白色羽毛和黑色的脚蹼都非常相似，且非常漂亮。

Tundra swans spotted at Yellow River Wetland in Mengjin. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]

Tundra swans mainly inhabit rivers and lakes with rich aquatic plants, and feed on aquatic plants and occasionally aquatic invertebrate animals. They live in small flocks and are alert in nature. Now is the migratory season for them. Because of the favorable environment and sufficient food in the nature reserve, they chose to have a rest here. After the short stay, they will continue their journey.

小天鹅主要栖息于面积较大而富有水生植物的河流、湖泊，以水生植物为食，偶尔吃水生无脊椎动物。小群活动，性情机警。目前正值候鸟迁徙季节。由于孟津黄河湿地国家级自然保护区良好的生态环境、充足的食物来源吸引了小天鹅停留驻足，休整后它们将会继续北飞。（中文来源/大河网 编译/何蒙贺）