MAGPIES, considered the bird of luck in Chinese culture, are important residents of Qingdao.

    Qingdao University of Science and Technology is home to more than 1,000 magpies, which begin singing at 6 a.m. and return to their nests at 6 p.m. every day, just as many of Qingdao’s human residents do. Hundreds of magpies live in the trees along Ruyang Road in Sifang District.

    There is also a large number of magpies at the Eight Passes, Huiquan Square, Haipo Garden, and on Nanhai Road, Luoyang Road, Dongshan Road 1 and Dongshan Road 2.

    “In recent years the number of magpies in the city has been increasing,” said Wang Ximing, a bird expert. “Five or six years ago, there were nearly 300,000 magpies and the number is growing.”

    Magpies indicate good fortune and luck in Chinese culture. (Jane Lai, Tian Lu)