The Chinese crested tern wins the hearts of its partner through a dazzling dance.
Birdfriends from all over carry "cannons" and sail out to sea in search of "mythical birds".
On March 27, the Chinese crested tern appeared in Weitou Bay, Jinjiang City.
Chinese crested terns sing.
Capture the moment you step on your back.
Since March 27, six Chinese crested terns have appeared in Waitou Bay, Jinjiang City, attracting many bird friends to watch. According to local birdwatchers who have been tracking and monitoring here for many years, the largest number of Chinese crested terns has been this year since they were spotted in 2018. Every year during the 15 days before and after Qingming, Chinese crested terns will come here to "talk about love", put on black crown feathers, and begin to dazzle dance, sing, duel, kiss, step on the back and other courtship behaviors, bringing vigorous vitality to the wetlands of Waitou Bay at the turn of spring and summer.
According to expert analysis, at present, the Kinmen Sea area only has a breeding population of Chinese crested terns every year on Matsu Island. The good ecological environment and many marine breeding organisms in Waitouwan are important reasons for attracting Chinese crested terns that are about to enter the breeding period to come to feed and supplement nutrition, and the wetlands of Waitouwan are also very likely to have breeding grounds for Chinese crested terns.
The Chinese crested tern, a national first-class protected animal, with a global population estimated at about 150, is listed as critically endangered on the World Red List of Birds, and is the most serious level of extreme near-extinction danger, known as the "mythical bird" because of its mysterious tracks. The Chinese crested tern has black crested feathers on its head, gray-white feathers on its back, shoulders and wings, a yellow beak, and a black subterminal spot at the tip, also known as the "black-billed crested tern".
Xiao Shuping Nori photo report