The Eurasian spoonbill, or Platalea leucorodia, is a large wading bird under China's second-level state protection.
Its bill is in the shape of a long spoon that resembles a Chinese musical instrument, a pipa.
Eurasian spoonbill (L) and black-faced spoonbill (R). /VCG Photo, designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun
The yellowish end of the bill distinguishes it from the black-faced spoonbill, whose bill is totally black.
The Eurasian spoonbill is slightly bigger than that of the black-faced spoonbill. Sharing similar behaviors, the two species are often seen in mixed groups.
CGTN Nature film crew has been shooting in the Hulunbuir Grassland in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Stay tuned for more in the upcoming CGTN Nature series.
For more:
China's Flora Tour: Pleasant purplish red flowers on roadsides
Bird's eye view of Hulunbuir Grassland: The serpentine Morigele River
(Cover image via VCG. Video provided by CGTN Nature film crew.)
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