Cute and lovely sub-adult birds snuggle up to their family [Photo/WeChat account: taishanwanbao]

Fifty tundra swans, which are under second-level State protection, were spotted in Tianping Lake, Tai'an, Shandong province, on Feb 28.

Tundra swans have a body length of 110 to 130 centimeters and a weight of 4 to 7 kilograms. They winter in the southeast coast of China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Tundra swans migrate north in February of every year. 

According to members of the Mount Tai Birding Association, the birds came early this spring. A member of the association first spotted the group of swans on the morning of Feb 28.

Tundra swans of both sexes are of the same color, and the female body is slightly smaller. The adult bird has white feathers, and the top of the head to the neck is often slightly brown; the baby bird has a light grayish brown body. 

It was repeatedly confirmed that there were 50 tundra swans in total, which appeared in the form of a family. "The gray ones on the head and neck are sub-adult birds born last year, and the white ones are adult birds," said a bird lover at the scene. 

"Tundra swans like shallow water, especially those who are less than one meter in height. They mainly eat shrimp and clams, plant leaves and roots, and do not eat fish," he added.

Tundra swans fly high up in the air. [Photo/WeChat account: taishanwanbao]

Because they are sensitive to light and firecrackers, the Tai'an Tourism and Economic Development Zone temporarily closed the landscape lights and fountains around Tianping Lake from Feb 28 to Mar 2 in order to provide them with a comfortable place to rest.