The Wuliangsuhai Wetland, in Bayannur’s Urad Front Banner, is an ideal habitat for assorted aquatic plants and birds thanks to its ecosystem. It is home to over 600 mute swans (Cygnus olor), nearly three-fifths of the world’s total number.

As a second-class protected species of bird, mute swans have slender and curved necks, foreheads with verrucae and tangerine beaks. Mute swans seldom make sounds, hence their name.

They usually eat aquatic plants as their main food, as well as mollusks, insects and small fish. Mute swans are known as “love birds” for their habit of keeping one lifelong companion. If a swan dies, its spouse will not find another partner.

A mute swan swims on a lake in Urad Front Banner, Bayannur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A pair of mute swans float on a lake in Urad Front Banner, Bayannur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]