【Epoch Times, October 26, 2025】Many swallows are currently stranded in Wuchang City, Heilongjiang Province. As the weather gradually cools down, these swallows are at risk of freezing and starving to death. A similar situation where swallows are unable to fly south for the winter has also been reported in other parts of China, sparking concerns.
A video captured by a netizen in Wuchang City, Heilongjiang Province, has recently gone viral. The video shows dozens of swallows scattered on the ground in front of a residential building. The netizen remarked, “They can’t fly anymore. They are just sitting there in front of my door, it seems like there are over a hundred of them, many have already perished.”
Furthermore, on October 25, CCTV reported that a similar situation has also been observed in the Hunan region.
Public records indicate that most birds in the swallow family are migratory birds. Swallows typically migrate in small groups of tens during migration, while simultaneously feeding on insects to replenish their energy. Compared to colder temperatures, swallows are typically more active in migration during warmer temperatures. When the temperature drops, swallows’ mobility decreases, and they seek warmer resting places. Additionally, as temperatures drop, insects fly at lower heights, forcing swallows to feed at lower altitudes.
In recent days, temperatures on the Chinese mainland have sharply plummeted. On October 21, the temperature in Wuchang City dropped abruptly from 20℃ to 0℃, preventing the swallows from continuing their migration.
The low temperatures lead to a decrease in the flight heights of insects, compelling swallows to feed at lower altitudes. According to CCTV, swallows dependent on flying insects struggle to find food, leading to physical exhaustion, ultimately resulting in collective stranding and even deaths. If the public encounters injured or frozen swallows, they can contact the local wildlife rescue department for assistance. However, rescuing birds in such circumstances poses significant challenges, and the success rate may be limited.
The report indicates that the swallows seen in the video are mostly Red-rumped Swallows, with a small number of Barn Swallows mixed in. Both Red-rumped Swallows and Barn Swallows are common swallow species found in northeastern China and other regions, as they are summer visitors.
Red-rumped Swallows mainly winter in Southeast Asia, even reaching northern Australia. Similarly, the wintering grounds of Barn Swallows in the northeast are primarily in Southeast Asia, with Thailand being a common destination.