A large group of Siberian cranes has been spotted at the Momoge National Nature Reserve in Jilin Province, northeast China.
Siberian cranes at sunset. /VCG Photo
Siberian cranes at sunset. /VCG Photo
Every spring and summer, Siberian cranes stop for about 100 days in the Momoge National Nature Reserve amid their migration process. The highest record of Siberian cranes stopping here was 3,800, more than 90 percent of the global population of this species.
Two Siberian cranes looking up at the sky. /VCG Photo
Two Siberian cranes looking up at the sky. /VCG Photo
The Siberian crane is also known as the white crane. It is listed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threaten Species. As the name suggests, the Siberian crane is completely white when it stands still, but when it spread its wings, the black primaries will show.
Closeup of a Siberian crane's beak. /VCG Photo
Closeup of a Siberian crane's beak. /VCG Photo
The Siberian crane is under first-class state protection in China. In traditional Chinese culture, cranes represent longevity, health and good fortune.
Two Siberian cranes standing in water. /VCG Photo
Two Siberian cranes standing in water. /VCG Photo
Momoge National Nature Reserve is a wetland reserve located in Zhenlai County, Jilin Province. The nature reserve covers an area of 1,440 square kilometers, and wetland accounts for 80 percent of this area. The beautiful environment of Jilin Momoge attracts birds from all over the world, especially the Siberian crane.