In the heart of Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis known for its skyscrapers and tech innovation, lies a hidden sanctuary that welcomes many birds. The Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve, China's smallest urban national reserve, has become a critical wintering ground for migratory birds, a place where black-faced spoonbills, red-breasted geese, and other rare species escape the cold.
The reserve hosts 272 bird species, including 60 under national protection. In 2023 alone, 43,108 birds were recorded here, with common cormorants, northern pintails, and black-tailed godwits dominating the counts. For egrets, this wetland is a reliable winter home.
Let's meet the feathered stars making headlines in this concrete jungle's green lung!
Meet the A-Listers of the Avian World
1. Black-Faced Spoonbill
With its distinctive spatula-like bill resembling a Chinese pipa (lute), this elegant wader was upgraded to China's first-class protection tier in 2021. Every winter, flocks descend on Shenzhen, treating birdwatchers to their synchronized fishing rituals.
2. Red-Crested Pochard
The male's fiery-red head and emerald wing patch make it unmissable. Equipped with a "shovel" bill, it's often the first to dinner, while the drabber female blends into reed beds, a survival tactic for nesting.
3. Black-Headed Gull
Nicknamed "water pigeons" for their plump charm, these gulls sport snow-white bodies, black-tipped wings, and caramel-hued beaks that turn orange in winter. Their playful antics enliven coastal walks.
4. Oriental Stork
The Oriental stork is a large, elegant wading bird in the Ciconiidae family. It has a long, thick black bill that's very sturdy, with a faint purple or deep red tint at the base. The bare skin around its eyes, eye-line, and throat is bright vermilion, while its iris is pink with a black outer ring. It has extremely long, bright red legs and feet.
Due to its limited breeding range and small population, the Oriental stork is now globally endangered. China listed it as a Class A protected wild animal in 1989.
5. Spot-Billed Duck
The spot-billed duck, a large duck species, shares similar plumage between genders, featuring a yellow-tipped black bill, orange legs, and a striking white face contrasting with its dark body. Named for its bill mark, this tidy bird preens frequently and eats both plants and small aquatic creatures.
The heartwarming tale of a bird
But one guest steals the spotlight: a Tibetan Sand Plover with a missing left foot, affectionately named "Birdie Grit." First spotted in 2021, this tiny shorebird (just 20 cm long) defied the odds by returning annually to Shenzhen Bay. "We feared its injury would end its journey," says local birder Luo Shirong, who documented its arrival. Yet every August, the bird hobbles ashore, foraging alongside its peers despite its disability. "It's a miracle," Luo marvels. "Shenzhen's stable wetlands give it a fighting chance."
As a key stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the bay's tidal flats sustain millions of migrants.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Shenzhen Fabu
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
