Recently, the Nandagang wetland in Hebei Province has become home to over 300 oriental white storks(东方白鹳), a species under first-class national protection. This number is three times that of the same period last year.
These birds, widely found in China, Japan and Korea in former times, are so rare and special that they are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(世界自然保护联盟). Therefore, they have strict requirements for their living environment. Only wetlands with clean pools, and little pieces of land with large quantities of food and water can become their habitats.
This large, long-necked bird ranges in height from 60 cm to over 150 cm (2 to 5 feet). The feathers on the body are mainly pure white. The wings are wide and long. All or part of the head and upper neck may be featherless and brightly coloured.
Oriental white storks began to leave their breeding(繁殖) places from late September to earlyOctober, forming groups and travelling southward. Along the way, it's necessary to choose suitable places to rest, and some places can rest for more than 40 days. They often gather in open areas like grasslands, lakes for activities. Most storks are found in groups except during the breeding season. They feed during the day. Most eat small animals caught in areas of water or fields that are not deep, such as small fish, frogs, insects and so on.