A rare bird was spotted in the Pobeda residential area of Dnipro (PHOTO).

Despite the freezing temperatures that have covered the city in snow, transforming the banks of the Dnieper into picturesque white landscapes and causing even the most resilient residents to blush, a single white egret (Ardea alba) has chosen to spend the winter in a rather unusual location—a drainage pipe of a high-rise building in the Victory residential area. Photographer Valeriy Kravchenko captured this remarkable bird, which has become a true winter sensation. This was reported by "Vidomo".

White egrets are migratory birds. Typically, with the onset of autumn, they head south to warmer regions: Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, in search of places abundant in food and open water. Their journey spans thousands of kilometers, and survival in winter conditions demands immense energy expenditures. However, for some reason, this particular bird decided to remain in the Dnieper.

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There are several possible explanations for this unusual behavior. Firstly, global climate change is indeed leading to milder winters, and in the Dnieper, as in many other regions, winters are becoming less severe than they were decades ago. Shorter periods of ice cover on the river and the presence of unfrozen bodies of water may provide the bird with a necessary food source—fish and small aquatic animals. In the drainage pipe, where it has found shelter, the egret is protected from cold winds and precipitation, which is crucial for survival in frigid weather.

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Secondly, we cannot dismiss the factor of individual adaptation of the bird. Some individuals, due to genetic traits or accumulated experience, may exhibit greater resilience to cold and adapt to atypical conditions. It is possible that this egret simply has better thermoregulation or has discovered an optimal way to obtain food in urban settings.

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It is worth noting that the survival of the egret in such conditions is far from guaranteed. It will have to compete for food with other animals, endure sharp temperature fluctuations, and risk becoming prey to predators. Living in a drainage pipe is not an ideal solution, as it is a confined space, and access to water may be limited.

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Previously, we reported - "fluffy barista": a unique furry employee appeared in one of Dnipro's popular parks (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Additionally, "Vidomo" wrote about how cozy homes were arranged for four pets in the trenches from Dnipro (PHOTO)