Oriental Magpie, glossy black and white corvid bird with long tail, in flight.

Oriental Magpie, glossy black and white corvid bird with long tail, in flight.

#birdoftheday theme is #winterSurvivors or #corvids. As it was -11°C when I arrived in #Beijing I think this Oriental Magpie counts as both.
#birds #birding #birdingChina #birdsSeenIn2026

Male Falcated Ducks, grey birds with long grey feathers along back, pale yellow vent and throat and a striking glossy dark greenish head. Swimming on a large river in warm early morning light.

A long layover in #Beijing on my way from Chiang Mai to London was an opportunity to see some lifers, including some magnificent Falcated #Ducks on the Wenyu River close to the airport. Covers the #birdoftheday #waterbirds theme as well.
#birds #birding #birdingChina #China

A pair of Ruddy Shelduck, large, golden brown ducks with pale heads, next to a Grey Heron, tall large grey, black and white bird, on the edge of reed fringed water in warm early morning light.

Better late than never. The #oddcouples theme for #birdoftheday was a challenge for me, but I think these Ruddy Shelduck with a Grey Heron on the Wenyu River, #Beijing cover that and the #urban alt theme.
#birds #birding #urbanBirding #birdingChina #China