Flocks of migratory birds have been spotted landing and resting in various wetlands in different areas of China as the head south for wintering.

Thousands of Eurasian coots have arrived at a lake in Lvliang City of north China's Shanxi Province. The species is distinguished by its black body with white beak and facial shield. These little travelers are having their dinner in the lake, saving enough strength for the long journey ahead.

The Eurasian coots are a species under national second class protection, they are also known as "swimming chicken" by locals as they look like black chicken who spend most of their time in water. 

In northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, large flocks of ruddy shelducks are found on a section of the Yellow River in Shizuishan City. The waterfowls in orange and brown are easily spotted as the river is frozen, they get their the food from the farmlands and swamps nearby. 

Some lucky birds have reached their destination further south. In south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, some shutterbugs have taken pictures of black storks and Chinese mergansers, both rare species under national first-class protection. These Chinese mergansers and black storks fly to the Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County in Hezhou City each year in November, and stay for about five months.

(Cover image is a screenshot.)

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