In Hanzhong City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, newly-hatched crested ibis chicks are about to fly for the first time under the attentive care of their parents.

The bird has been brought back from the verge of extinction in China after the only seven remaining were discovered in Hanzhong in the 1980s.

Villagers in the nature reserve designated for the ibis have got very familiar with these avian neighbors that have been spotted in recent years building nests on trees near their houses.

After the newborn chicks hatched in spring, diligent ibis couples have been taking turns, traveling back and forth to bring food and guard the little ones.

Chicks are usually able to fly and leave the nest 40 days after birth.

(Cover image via VCG)

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