When you are walking at a park in Beijing, you are very likely to see some tiny birds with dark feather fleeting pass in a flock as you approach. They look a bit similar to sparrows, but they are more easily alarmed by humans. They are grey-starlings, also known as white-cheeked starlings, a species native to eastern Asia.

The birds often forage on the meadow and farmland. They rest on the wires, poles and tress and fly fast in groups. When one bird gets alerted and takes off, other birds follow. It's hard to tell male and female white-checked starlings apart as they both are similar in color. The birds like to eat insects, cherries and the seeds of dogwood. 

About 'City of Wild'

Nature is not limited to faraway mountains and oceans, it also exists in urban cities and our daily lives. In the series, "City of Wild," CGTN not only unfolds a world of wildlife you were probably not aware of, but also highlights the theme of this year's CBD COP 15: Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth. 

For more:

City of wild: The cute sparrows in Beijing

City of wild: Inconspicuous birds with really beautiful melodies

City of Wild: Lovely hoopoes in Beijing

City of wild: Milu deer cool off from the Beijing summer

City of Wild: A pair of spotted doves making home in downtown Beijing

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