Winter great bustards take wing in the Momoge National Nature Reserve. It is very rare for such a large population of great bustards to stay the winter in the nature reserve. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Momoge National Nature Reserve in Baicheng, Northeast China's Jilin province, is known in China for being home to many white cranes, and covers an area of 144,000 hectares.

It is a typical wetland protection zone and a major stop for migrant birds in North China each spring and autumn.  

Flocks of great bustards are seen in the Momoge National Nature Reserve. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The reserve is home to many fish and aquatic plants, which makes it a rare paradise for birds.

According to official statistics, there are currently 38 species of nationally-protected birds, including red-crowned cranes, white storks, and great bustards. Among them, there are eight species of birds listed as national first-level protected animals, and 30 species of birds are listed as national second-level protected animals.

The number of red cranes and white storks in the nature reserve is about 500 each year, and the migration period is up to 30 days a year, longer than anywhere else in the world.

The wetland area covers more than 80 percent of the entire reserve, earning the reserve the title of "liver of Jilin province".