The Ten Famous Birds of China refers to ten distinctive bird species found in China, including the lark, thrush, white-eye, blue-throated robin, Chinese merganser, mandarin duck, red-crowned crane, crested ibis, scarlet-breasted parakeet, and cuckoo. These birds are famous for several reasons: First, their beautiful appearance; most of the Ten Famous Birds are small and exquisite, with brightly colored and beautiful plumage, making them highly pleasing to the eye and possessing great ornamental value. Second, their unique habitats; the Ten Famous Birds of China inhabit various natural environments, such as wetlands, mountains, and grasslands, and the uniqueness of their ecosystems attracts many enthusiasts. Finally, their cultural significance; some species among the Ten Famous Birds of China hold a high position in Chinese culture, such as the lark, thrush, and mandarin duck, which are praised for their beautiful "bird songs" in poetry. So, how many of the Ten Famous Birds of China can you recognize?
1. Lark
The lark is a small, lively bird, scientifically known as *Parus major*. They typically inhabit forests, parks, and gardens, feeding on insects, fruits, seeds, and nectar. Larks are small and compact, about 13 centimeters long, with mostly black and white plumage and a bright yellow patch on their head, making them easily distinguishable. Larks are very intelligent and agile birds, often initiating contact with humans and quickly learning how to find food offered by them. Furthermore, the lark is widely used to represent speed and agility, holding significant symbolic meaning in literature, art, and commerce.
2. Eyebrow drawing
The Hwamei (Emberiza aureola), a small songbird belonging to the bunting family, is distributed in China, Russia, and Mongolia, typically inhabiting open areas such as grasslands, scrublands, and farmlands. The Hwamei is relatively small, with a brown crown and back, a white belly, black markings around its eyes, and a deep yellow lip-like area on its neck. Males and females are similar in appearance, but the male has a striking black throat. Hwamei prefer to eat seeds and insects, and are especially easy to spot foraging in fields during the summer. Due to its beautiful appearance and melodious song, the Hwamei is widely kept as an ornamental bird and is listed as a Class II protected animal in China.
3. White-eye
The white-eye, scientifically known as *Zosterops japonicus*, is a small songbird belonging to the family Zosteropidae. They are distributed throughout East Asia, including China, North Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, and prefer to live in forests, orchards, and city parks. The white-eye has a very small and delicate body, with yellowish-green plumage and two white eyebrows, hence its name "white-eye." It typically feeds on insects, nectar, and fruit, and is very alert; if it senses danger, it will immediately hide under leaves or behind tree trunks. Due to its petite and adorable appearance and melodious song, the white-eye is widely kept as an ornamental bird and is also kept as a pet by some people.
4. Indigo chin
The Indigo-throated Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the hornbill family. They are distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, and Myanmar. The Indigo-throated Hornbill has a relatively large body; its head and throat are a mixture of blue and purple indigo, its belly is white, and its back is black and grey. Another distinctive feature is its wide beak, which helps it burrow through tree trunks to find insects. Inhabiting subtropical and tropical rainforests, the Indigo-throated Hornbill feeds on fruits, insects, reptiles, and small mammals. Due to its unique appearance and precious habitat, the Indigo-throated Hornbill is listed as a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix I protected animal and is a highly sought-after star species in many wildlife parks and bird exhibits.
5. Chinese Merganser
The Chinese Merganser, scientifically known as *Anas platyrhynchos* var. *diazi*, is a subspecies endemic to the Anatidae family. They inhabit southern China and Southeast Asia, including central and southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Compared to the Common Merganser, the Chinese Merganser is more brightly colored, with a green head and neck, a white belly, a grey back, and black stripes on the sides of its tail. The Chinese Merganser prefers to inhabit aquatic environments such as marshes, lakes, and river edges, feeding on insects, mollusks, plant roots, and aquatic plants. This duck is a typical migratory bird, migrating to warmer regions for the winter. Due to its beautiful appearance and unique lifestyle, the Chinese Merganser is a key conservation target for many wildlife conservation organizations and enthusiasts.
6. Mandarin Ducks
Mandarin ducks, scientifically known as *Anas platyrhynchos*, are common waterfowl belonging to the Anatidae family. They are distributed in temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America. Mandarin ducks are relatively small and exhibit distinct sexual dimorphisms. The male has a green head and neck, a white chest, a brown belly, and grey feathers covering its back and wings. The female has a dark brown head and neck, a brown upper body, and a white lower body. Mandarin ducks typically live in aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds, feeding on small fish, shrimp, snails, and aquatic plants. They are very kind and affectionate animals, often displaying mutual care and protection among their companions. Due to their beautiful appearance and charming habits, mandarin ducks have become an important subject in many cultural and artistic works.
7. Red-crowned crane
The red-crowned crane, scientifically known as *Grus japonensis*, is a large bird belonging to the family Gruidae. They are distributed throughout East Asia, including countries and regions such as China, North Korea, and Japan. The red-crowned crane has a tall and slender body, reaching over 1.5 meters in length, and its wingspan displays a beautiful pattern of white and black feathers. It typically inhabits aquatic environments such as marshes, lakes, and rice paddies, feeding on fish, frogs, insects, and plants. Due to its beautiful appearance and unique lifestyle, the red-crowned crane is widely used as a symbol in culture, art, and environmental protection, and is one of the most popular bird species for visitors to many wildlife parks and nature reserves. However, due to continuous human encroachment and destruction of its ecosystem, the red-crowned crane is now listed as an endangered species and has become a key conservation target supported by many organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation.
8. Crested Ibis
The crested ibis, scientifically known as *Nipponia nippon*, is a large, rare bird belonging to the stork family. Found in China and the Korean Peninsula, it is one of the world's most endangered bird species and is listed as a Class I protected animal in China. The crested ibis is large, with adults reaching about 1.5 meters in length and a wingspan exceeding 2.4 meters. Its plumage is primarily white, with red to dark brown patches on its head, neck, and upper tail. Crested ibises mainly inhabit mountainous forests, valleys, and rivers, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, insects, and aquatic plants. Due to their extremely small population and severely damaged habitat, the crested ibis is now a key protected species supported by international conservation organizations and governments at all levels. Many wildlife parks and bird museums have dedicated crested ibis exhibits to raise public awareness and understanding of this precious bird.
9. Scarlet-breasted parrot
The Red-breasted Parakeet, scientifically known as *Erythrura coloria*, is a small parrot belonging to the order Passeriformes. They are mainly distributed in South and Southeast Asia, including countries and regions such as southern China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Red-breasted Parakeet is relatively small, typically only 12-14 cm long, with beautiful blue and red plumage. Its head and back are light blue, its wings and tail are dark blue, while its abdomen and chest are red. Red-breasted Parakeets inhabit mountain forests, woodlands, and grasslands, feeding on seeds, fruits, and pollen. Due to their beautiful appearance and endearing habits, the Red-breasted Parakeet is widely kept as a pet bird and is a popular species in many wildlife parks and bird exhibits.
10. Azalea
The cuckoo is a common bird belonging to the family Cuckooidae. They are distributed across many regions of the world, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. The size of cuckoos varies depending on the species, ranging from the bee-sized Canary Cuckoo to the blue Blue Cuckoo and the large Crested Ibis Cuckoo. The plumage color also varies among species, including white, black, red, and yellow. Cuckoos typically inhabit forests, grasslands, and mountainous areas, feeding on insects, fruits, nectar, and small animals. The cuckoo's melodious call, with its unique vocalizations, is beloved and admired by many. The cuckoo has also become an important subject in many cultural and artistic works.
