LayarHijau – A “giant bird” was recently spotted in Jingxin, Hunchun City, Jilin Province, China. In the circulating video, the large black bird can be seen folding its wings while leisurely crossing the road from one side to the other, causing passing vehicles to stop and give way.
The footage quickly went viral and sparked a flurry of reactions online. Many were amazed by its massive size, even comparing it to the legendary shendiao, the giant condor in Jin Yong’s novel The Return of the Condor Heroes (神雕侠侣). Some netizens jokingly commented, “Yang Guo, your bird ran away.” Others questioned its authenticity, speculating that it might be a person in a costume.
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Recently, a giant bird was seen leisurely crossing the National Highway in Hunchun, Jilin Province, with a calm demeanor. This giant bird is a vulture, also known locally as the ‘Mountain Eagle.’ Netizens commented: ‘What is it doing? Looking for Yang Guo?
Source: CCTV News pic.twitter.com/LZwrDH6OKL
— Layar Hijau (@layar_hijau) March 28, 2026
The video was recorded by a woman surnamed Li along National Highway 302, in Jiushaping Village. She said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. while she was driving. The bird stood nearly one meter tall and showed no fear of humans. It walked leisurely across the road while several people stopped to take photos.
According to Li, the bird was on the road for only a few dozen seconds before crossing completely.
Li also explained that Jingxin is located in a wetland area, which during spring and autumn attracts large numbers of migratory birds. While locals often see various bird species, encountering a “zuo shan diao” (座山雕), the local name for this large vulture, at such close range remains a rare experience.
The head of Jiushaping Village, who also leads the local bird protection team and is a member of the Hunchun Wildlife Conservation Association, Lin Wei, confirmed that the bird in the video is indeed a “zuo shan diao,” a vulture classified as a first-class protected species in China. He explained that the bird can grow up to 120 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of about two meters.
Lin Wei added that in the Jingxin wetland, during early spring, frozen fish that die and decay attract scavenging birds like this vulture, making them easier to spot at this time of year. He also reminded the public to keep a safe distance if they encounter the bird in the wild and not to disturb it, given its protected status.
In Jin Yong’s novel The Return of the Condor Heroes (神雕侠侣), the shendiao is depicted as an enormous, highly intelligent condor. It is far larger than ordinary eagles and possesses strength capable of rivaling humans. The shendiao is fiercely loyal and becomes the faithful companion of Yang Guo, often appearing in critical moments as a symbol of power and freedom.
In the story, the bond between Yang Guo and the shendiao is very deep, almost like that of true friends. The giant condor even assists Yang Guo in martial arts training, accompanies him through difficult times, and witnesses his life’s journey. Thus, the shendiao is not only recognized as a powerful creature but also as a symbol of loyalty, resilience, and the rare emotional connection between humans and animals in wuxia fiction.
Internationally, the story is widely known through the 2006 Chinese television adaptation The Return of the Condor Heroes, starring Huang Xiaoming as Yang Guo and Liu Yifei as Xiaolongnü, which was released on platforms like iQIYI and later available on Viki. This adaptation gained global attention, helping introduce the adventures of Yang Guo and the legendary shendiao to audiences worldwide.
