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5 Beautiful Endangered Birds of China

5 Beautiful Endangered Birds of China

April 7, 20143379Views

China may be best known for its huge human population, but it is also home to some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world. China has over 700 wildlife refuges which has helped to keep some of its most endangered birds from extinction. Here are just five species that are hovering on the brink.

1. Crested Ibis

In 1981, there were just seven adult crested ibis left in the wild. This magnificent, elegant water bird used to roam freely in Asia, but now can only be found in the Qin Mountains in China. Due to efforts to save this bird, also called the Asian crested ibis, there are now over 500 left in the wild and in captivity.

2. Brown Eared Pheasant

China is the birthplace of all pheasant species, including the brown eared pheasant, one of the most endangered birds of China. It is now only found in China’s mountain ranges. The “ears” are actually not ears at all, but a display of feathers. They are still the targets of poachers, even though Chinese law prohibits killing any of these endangered birds.

3. Red Crowned Crane

This is another large waterfowl with a distinctive red dot or crown on its head. Also known as the Japanese crane, this bird often spends the winter in China. Three nations – Japan, South Korea and China – have worked together to save the red crowned crane from extinction in the wild. The bird is so beloved in China that it was once considered to be voted the national bird. It did not win because of its migratory nature.

4. White Eared Night Heron

So little is known about this bird that it is unknown just how many are left in the world, although 200 adults are thought to still be alive in China. The white eared night heron, another waterfowl, lives in both China and Vietnam. It can only live in wetlands, which have been severely reduced in the last century.

5. White Shouldered Ibis

Because of China’s destruction of wetlands and intense logging over the decades, there has been a general decline in its waterfowl population. The white shouldered ibis is another little-known species, although it is thought that less than 400 remain in the wild.

Featured Image from Tali Despins/Unsplash