Get ready for some serious cuteness overload! 🥰 In the lush Changbai Mountains of northeast China, Chinese merganser ducklings are hatching and gearing up for their first big adventure — a daring leap from their lofty nests high up in the trees! 🌳🌄
These fluffy little daredevils follow their mom's lead, jumping from the treetops and free-falling to the forest floor. Don't worry, they've got this! After a soft landing on the grass, they shake it off and waddle away like tiny champs. 🐣💪
But why the rush? Just 24 hours after hatching, mother ducks decide it's time to move. Hanging around the nest could attract unwanted attention from predators once the ducklings start quacking up a storm. So, it's leap or be lunch! 😱🌲
After their epic plunge, the mother duck guides her little squad to a nearby river. It's here they splash into a new chapter, learning to forage and fend for themselves. Talk about a crash course in growing up! 🌊🍃
The Chinese merganser is more than just adorable — it's special. This migratory bird is under top-class state protection in China and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Protecting these feathered friends is super important! 🦆❤️
Breeding up north and spending winters down south, they can be spotted in the forests of China, Russia, and the Korean Peninsula. So next time you're exploring the great outdoors, keep an eye out for these brave little birds taking the leap! 🌍✨
Reference(s):
One, two, three … Chinese merganser ducklings free-fall from tree
cgtn.com
