Black-necked crane chicks, only about ten days old, are out and about in the meadow, foraging under their parents' watch, in Yunshu City of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The birds, under first-class state protection, spend the majority of their lives on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and are highly demanding on their habitat. Therefore, they are often considered an indicator of a healthy ecosystem on the plateau.

On average, a pair only breeds one chick each year.

(Cover image via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)