Egrets enter breeding season in Jiangxi(1/8)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

The egrets in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, have entered their breeding season. About 300,000 birds have come to live, nest and breed in the park since earlier this month.

Pairs of egrets hatch eggs alternately, with one staying at home while the other goes outside to seek food.

A pair of egrets together in a nest creates a heartwarming scene. While one bird glides and flies into the nest, the other one at home offers a greeting. To show affection, the birds make gestures that look like kissing each other on the neck.

Once their chicks hatch, the heron pair will begin their most difficult process -- feeding the young herons and spreading their wings to protect the chicks from wind and rain.

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)

Egrets are seen in Xiangshan Forest Park in Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, in May 2019. (Photo by Xu Nanping/for chinadaily.com.cn)