Beijing Zoo: Birdwatching at the Waterfowl Lake

Beijing Zoo is one of China’s oldest zoos, with a history stretching back to 1906. For anyone interested in birdwatching and wildlife photography, its waterfowl lake is a great place to spend some time with a camera.

The birds were the highlight of my visit. There is a broad range of captive waterbirds to photograph, while the lake and surrounding trees also attract wild birds, including night herons and other herons.

A Look Around the Zoo

There were parts of the zoo that I found less enjoyable. Some of the animal enclosures felt very small compared with those in modern zoos, and the limited space was difficult to overlook.

The animals appeared healthy to me, and I did not notice any obvious signs of distress, although a short visit can only tell you so much. This is something to bear in mind when planning a trip. While I had reservations about the wider zoo, I really enjoyed spending time around the waterfowl lake.

A close-up of a yellow-billed stork with pale pink-tinged plumage, a red face and a long orange bill

The Waterfowl Lake

One of the best things about the lake is the variety of birds. Pelicans, swans, ducks and geese all offer something different to photograph, from close portraits on the bank to groups swimming across the water.

The surrounding greenery creates some lovely reflections, particularly behind the white swans and pelicans. It is worth slowing down here and watching what the birds are doing before moving on to the next part of the zoo.

A pelican with pink legs spreading its wings while standing at the edge of the lake

Ruddy Shelducks and Mallards

The Ruddy Shelducks are easy to pick out, with their orange-brown bodies and pale heads. I photographed them beside the rocks and out on the lake, where their colouring stands out beautifully against the green water.

A Ruddy Shelduck with orange-brown plumage and a pale head standing on rocks beside the lake

There are Mallards, too, including males with glossy green heads, yellow bills and chestnut breasts. Even familiar birds make lovely subjects when the light and background work together.

A female Mallard with mottled brown plumage and a blue wing patch standing on a rock by the water

Swans and Geese

The white swans were another lovely subject. They appear to be Whooper Swans, with long necks and plenty of yellow on their black-tipped bills. The yellow bill pattern is a useful feature to check against the RSPB’s swan identification guide.

A white swan with a yellow and black bill swimming on green water

Bar-headed Geese are particularly distinctive, with two dark bars across their pale heads. These birds are known for their high-altitude migrations across the Himalayas, an impressive journey to think about while watching them on a city lake.

Two Bar-headed Geese with dark head bars swimming on the green lake

As well as the Swan Geese I saw, my photographs appear to show Canada Geese and Greylag Geese.

A Canada Goose with a black neck and white chinstrap swimming on the lake

Wild Birds Around the Lake

Beyond the captive collection, the wild birds offer another reason to keep looking around. The herons I saw among the branches appear to be Black-crowned Night Herons, with their dark caps, grey wings and pale underparts.

Three young, streaky brown night herons perched among branches and leaves

These birds often rest in trees during the day and feed in the evening or at night, so it is worth checking the branches around the lake. They can be much easier to miss than the larger birds out on the water.

An adult Black-crowned Night Heron perched on a branch among willow leaves

A black-and-white magpie on a railing and a small brown bird on the rocks also caught my attention.

Photography Opportunities

The lake is a good place to try a mixture of compositions. My photographs include close portraits, groups on the water and wider views of the surroundings, as well as birds splashing and spreading their wings.

Portraits: Look for a clear view of the bird with the water behind it. The green reflections work particularly well with the white swans and pelicans.
Movement: Give the birds time to do something interesting. A splash or a stretch of the wings can create a very different image from a portrait of a resting bird.
Wild visitors: Check the trees and banks for herons and smaller birds, giving them space and letting them approach on their own terms.

A visit offers opportunities to photograph both captive and wild birds. When sharing images, it is worth making clear which birds belonged to the collection and which were wild visitors, where you can confirm that distinction.

Visiting Information

One of the appealing things about Beijing Zoo is how affordable it is. The official visitor guide lists the following admission prices:

April to October: CNY 15 for standard entry, or CNY 19 including the Panda House.
November to March: CNY 10 for standard entry, or CNY 14 including the Panda House.

Check the guide before travelling for the latest prices and ticket arrangements. Your visit can include the wider zoo and its other bird exhibits as well as the lake.

For me, the waterfowl lake is the main reason to visit. Although some of the enclosures left me with concerns, the variety of birds made this an enjoyable place to explore with a camera. If you are in Beijing and enjoy bird photography, it is worth considering a visit and allowing plenty of time around the water.