Animal
11:45, 26-May-2019
Endangered relict gulls spotted in N China nature reserve
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More than 3,000 endangered relict gulls have been spotted in the Ordos Relict Gull National Nature Reserve of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region since early May.
Relict gulls are medium-sized birds whose feathers are black, white and gray. They were considered to be part of the brown-headed gull family up until 1971 when they were classified as their own species.
Relict gull. /VCG Photo
Relict gull. /VCG Photo
There are about 12,000 relict gulls of four colonies in the world, and the latest colony first found in Ordos in 1987 makes up over 60 percent of the species. The birds usually spend their winter in Bohai Bay and fly northward in spring to northwestern parts of China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan for breeding.
The Ordos Relict Gull National Nature Reserve is full of lakes with salt and alkali, which makes it an ideal breeding site for relict gulls. Every year during breeding season for relict gulls, the nature reserve welcomes thousands of this bird species.
Due to the hot weather this year, many relict gull couples have already hatched their eggs. The breeding season usually lasts till August.
Relict gulls at a wetland park in Zhangjiakou City, north China. /VCG Photo
Relict gulls at a wetland park in Zhangjiakou City, north China. /VCG Photo
(Cover image via VCG.)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)