In the Ulaansukhai nuur wetland in Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, about 30,000 ruddy shelducks forage and play on the ice recently. [Photo by Luo Yuezhong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

At the Ulaansukhai nuur wetland in Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, about 30,000 ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) look for food and play on the ice in late December. The wetland is a major channel in Eurasia for migrating birds in winter. The duck species is a third-class protected animal in China.

In recent years, more of them have stayed the winter, rather than continuing to fly south. They mainly feed on fish, shrimp and small plants. Hunting and fishing in the protected area is prohibited.

In the Ulaansukhai nuur wetland in Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, about 30,000 ruddy shelducks forage and play on the ice recently. [Photo by Luo Yuezhong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

In the Ulaansukhai nuur wetland in Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, about 30,000 ruddy shelducks forage and play on the ice recently. [Photo by Luo Yuezhong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

In the Ulaansukhai nuur wetland in Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, about 30,000 ruddy shelducks forage and play on the ice recently. [Photo by Luo Yuezhong/For chinadaily.com.cn]