As the temperature drops recently, it's also the time for migratory birds to head south. The adorable avian star, known as the "Chubby Chirper" or the Northern Long-tailed Tit, has arrived in large numbers this winter in Beijing's Haidian District. They've been spotted not only in major parks but, with a stroke of luck, even along the streets.

Belonging to the family Aegithalidae in the order Passeriformes, the Northern Long-tailed Tit is a species protected at the national level due to its significant ecological, scientific, and social value. It's commonly found in the northeastern regions and northern Xinjiang of China.

These birds have petite figures, fluffy white heads, dark, beady eyes, short and sturdy beaks, and when they huddle together, they form a round, plump shape, resembling cute "glutinous rice balls." This endearing appearance has led many birdwatching enthusiasts to affectionately call them "Chubby Chirpers" or "Flying Dumplings."

"Our birdwatching team has spotted 'Chubby Chirpers' at Cuihu National Urban Wetland Park, Jin River, and Liangshan Park this year," said Li Yuanjing, head of the Haidian District Soil and Water Conservation Workstation.

According to records in the The Checklist of Birds of Beijing, the Northern Long-tailed Tit appeared in Beijing in the 1960s, but the numbers have historically been relatively low. This year, however, the count is significantly higher, and they've been observed in groups, a scenario rarely seen.

"Based on our birdwatching team's data, 'Chubby Chirpers' were typically easier to spot in previous years at Cuihu National Urban Wetland Park in Haidian. This year, their locations and numbers have increased, indicating that Haidian provides ample winter food sources for them, which is a positive sign," Li Yuanjing mentioned.

It's understood that the Northern Long-tailed Tit is a partially migratory bird. When winters are relatively mild and food is abundant, these birds will migrate vertically from higher-altitude areas to slightly warmer plains, with Beijing and the surrounding areas being their adjacent wintering grounds. However, if winters are relatively cold or there's a sudden drop in temperatures with extensive snowfall, and when food becomes scarce, they'll fly further south to spend the winter.

Translator: Wang Yixin

Reviewer: Bai Jing