🐦 Ever heard of a bird with a spoon for a beak? Say hello to the spoon-billed sandpiper, lovingly nicknamed the \"little spoon\"! Measuring just 14-16 centimeters, this petite feathered friend is making big waves in the birding world.
In the summer, the spoon-billed sandpiper rocks a bold look with dark feathers in shades of black and brownish-red. Come winter, it swaps for a chic grayish-brown and white ensemble. But no matter the season, you can spot this unique bird by its signature move: sweeping its spoon-shaped beak side to side in the mud or water, scooping up tasty treats. 🍽️
Sadly, our little spoon is in trouble. With fewer than 1,000 left worldwide, the spoon-billed sandpiper is critically endangered. During breeding season, they chill in the tundra marshes, grasslands, and lakes along the Arctic shore. When it's not breeding time, they head to the shallow waters and mudflats of coastal and estuarine areas.
Every year from July to August, these tiny adventurers embark on an epic journey to the Yellow Sea coastal wetland in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province. This wetland is like the ultimate pit stop on the East Asia-Australasia Flyway—a migratory superhighway packed with endangered bird species.
The Yancheng wetland is their go-to spot for some R&R—rest and refueling! After two to three months of molting and bulking up, the spoon-billed sandpipers continue their journey to their southern winter getaways. 🗺️
The next time you're in east China, keep an eye out for this incredible little bird. Not only is it a symbol of nature's wonders, but it's also a reminder that even the smallest creatures can embark on the most extraordinary journeys. 🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
