Spring River Water Warmer, Ducks Know First; Critically Endangered Blue-headed Ducks Make a 'Visit' to Jiaozuo

Henan Daily Client Reporter Cheng Anlin Correspondent Li Jiwu

On March 13th, the wild animal protection department of Jiaozuo City detected the Blue-headed Duck for the first time at Dashahu River. The bird is a world's critically endangered bird species, with a global population of less than 1000.

That morning, staff members of the Jiaozuo City Wild Animal and Plant Protection Rescue Station carried out wild animal epidemic monitoring on Dashahu River. One staff member saw a group of relaxed Mallard ducks, Green-winged ducks, and Hooded ducks swimming on the shimmering Dashahu River, and two birds with dark brown upper bodies and white eyes stood out.

The staff carefully identified the two birds as Blue-headed Ducks. The bird belongs to the migratory duck family, the duck subfamily, and the global population is extremely rare, and it is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Blue-headed Ducks have very high requirements for their habitat, mainly inhabiting lakes, reservoirs and wetlands with slow-flowing water and abundant aquatic plants. Their 'visit' to Dashahu River is a vivid note on the continuous improvement of the water ecological environment of Dashahu River.

'This is the first time our city has detected Blue-headed Ducks, I believe there will be more rare birds 'visiting' Dashahu River.' Said one of the station's leaders.

It is introduced that March is the peak season for migratory birds, and the good ecological environment of Dashahu River provides an important resting and feeding place for migratory birds. Spring is also a good time for everyone to enjoy the scenery, Jiaozuo City's wild animal protection departments advocate that citizens playing in Dashahu River should be civilized bird watching and maintain a certain distance from birds, not disturb the birds, and harmonize with the birds.

Editor: Zhang Jingjing