What is the least bird in the world?

The rarest bird in the world-crested ibis

Crested ibis is the rarest bird in the world, and it has the reputation of "Oriental Pearl" because of its preciousness. This species was once widely distributed in East Asia, such as Russia, Korea, Japan and China. Since 1930s, some human economic activities have changed the ecological environment of crested ibis habitat, making it difficult for crested ibis to adapt to this change, resulting in a sharp decrease in population number and distribution range. In the late 1970s, it was extinct in Russia and South Korea, and only one was left in Japan.

Since 198 1, China has rediscovered the only 7 wild crested ibis in the world in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province, and has done a lot of protection work, and successively established Shaanxi crested ibis protection observation station and Shaanxi crested ibis rescue and breeding center. Through unremitting efforts, the total number of crested ibis has increased to more than 120, including nearly 60 wild species, and two types of work groups have been established. One is the artificial population of crested ibis in Shaanxi Rescue Breeding Center, with 54 species; The other is in Beijing Zoo, population 17.

In 1930s, German ornithologists discovered crested ibis in Japan and named it Nipponia nippon. Crested ibis is a large and medium-sized wading bird, weighing about1500 ~ 2,000 grams, with a long and curved beak, a scarlet tip, legs and toes. Feathers are leaden in spring and summer, and pink in autumn and winter. Crested ibis usually gather in groups, move around rivers, ponds and farmland, and feed on insects and aquatic animals such as loach, frog, crab, small fish and shrimp. The crested ibis is monogamous, and the breeding period is from March to June. It nests on high branches such as pine trees and oak trees, and lays 2-4 eggs. Male and female birds hatch and brood alternately. The incubation period is 27 days and the brooding period is about 40 days. Snakes, birds, crows, eagles and weasels are the natural enemies of crested ibis. They often destroy its nest and even eat eggs and chickens. In addition, forest destruction, wetland reduction, pesticides and fertilizers brought by human production activities pose a fatal threat to the survival of crested ibis.

According to early historical records, crested ibis is a migratory bird. With the long-term evolution, crested ibis has become a resident bird in Yangxian County. The active area of crested ibis can be divided into breeding area and wandering area. The breeding ground is generally in the deep mountains, with few villages and farmers, large forest coverage and considerable water area suitable for crested ibis foraging. The wandering area is along the shallow hills and the Han River.

In order to improve people's awareness of wildlife protection, Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Department and Shaanxi crested ibis Protection Observatory printed a large number of brochures and yearbook pictures about crested ibis and distributed them to the public. Observation posts are set up in the nest area for day and night monitoring, and defensive measures are taken to prevent the harm of natural enemies such as snakes and rescue sick chicks in time. The population dynamics of crested ibis were studied by using environmental records and radio telemetry devices. In recent years, with the increase in the number of crested ibis, the activity scope covers most areas of Yangxian county and related areas of Chenggu, Xixiang, Hanzhong, Mianxian and Foping counties, covering an area of nearly 3,000 square kilometers. In the meantime, many places are densely populated. How to protect crested ibis in such a large area and make this species survive in nature for a long time will be our long-term and arduous task.