A photography enthusiast in Datong City, north China's Shanxi Province has recently captured the growth process of grey heron chicks in a local river.
In the released footage, four baby herons in the nest, just after hatching, were covered in fine, soft down feathers and huddled closely together.
The parent grey heron never left the nest, staying alert and constantly scanning the surroundings, attentively protecting the young as they grew.
As the chicks gradually grew, they shed their down and developed their signature slate-gray plumage. Their bodies became increasingly slender and upright, and their distinctive black crest gradually took shape.
The grey heron's breeding season runs from March to May each year. Each clutch consists of three to five eggs, which are incubated by both parents in turns for over 20 days.
In the early stages after hatching, the chicks cannot stand or forage on their own, so they rely on their parents for care.
Chinese photographer records development of grey heron chicks
