Distribution and protection status of Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in Sichuan Province

According to field investigations, literature and crane rescue reports, the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is distributed in 34 counties (districts) of Sichuan Province, including 10 counties with crane breeding and 24 counties with migrating. So far, the Black-necked Crane has not been found overwintering in Sichuan Province. The Black-necked Crane breeds in two areas in Sichuan Province－one is the Ruoergai Wetland which is famous for its high density and population of Black-necked Cranes during the breeding season; another one is Shaluli Mountains in the western Sichuan plateau where the Black-necked Crane breeding groups are scattered and small. Most of the breeding areas of the Black-necked Crane are protected and are in nature reserves,but the management of these nature reserves needs to be improved. The systematic breeding ecological study of Black-necked Crane is limited, therefore more and further research is needed.