Come and Take a Look! Have You Ever Seen Dark-Colored Ducks with White Eyes?

Recently, the Lilong Mountain Reservoir began releasing water, with the clear Danjiang River winding around the city, complementing the beautiful spring scenery on both banks of the Danjiang River. On March 30th, the author took a walk along the Danjiang River and accidentally discovered several dark ducks swimming in the river in the west of the Wanguan Tower. Their bright white eyes were particularly noticeable, and they were immediately photographed. Unintentionally, an international red endangered species – the White-eyed Scoter – was captured.

The Danjiang River was the first time I had seen White-eyed Scoters swimming in the Danjiang River basin. This proves that the Danjiang River's natural ecological protection has achieved significant results.

White-eyed Scoters belong to the order Anseriformes and the Scoter family. They have a rounded body, a large head, rarely make calls, are deep-water birds, and are adept at tucking their wings for diving. They are omnivorous, primarily feeding on aquatic plants and fish, shrimp, and shellfish.

White-eyed Scoters have white eyes; their body feathers are dark smoky brown on the waist and tail upper coverts, with black on the chest, chestnut brown on the sides, white on the upper abdomen, and pale brown on the lower abdomen. Their lower tail coverts are white. They inhabit swamps and freshwater lakes and also migrate to river mouths and coastal lagoons in winter. They are shy and cautious and are migratory birds. They migrate to their breeding grounds from early to mid-April.

White-eyed Scoters are listed in the 'World Conservation Union' 2012 Red List version 3.1 – Near Threatened. They are also listed in the 'National Forestry Bureau' list of beneficial or scientifically and economically important terrestrial wild animals published on August 1, 2000.

(LJ)