Rare wildlife spotted in Taicang

A reed parrotbill is found feeding baby birds in reed marshes in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Emberiza aureolas have been seen looking for food in wheat fields in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, in recent years, local media reported.

The appearance of Emberiza aureolas, a species of bird listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and under first-class national protection in China, indicates that the city's ecological environment has improved significantly, said a local official.

Reed parrotbills have also been found feeding baby birds in reed marshes, while nearly 2,000 gray-headed lapwings were recorded.

In addition, bird species under second-class State protection in China such as Centropus bengalensis, Falco peregrinus, great knots, Chinese Goshawk and black kites have been appearing across Taicang.

A total of 742 birds divided into seven Anatidae species were recorded in January 2023 in the city's Jincang Lake Wetland Park, a record high.

As an important stop along the plover-migration routes in East Asia, Taicang will sustain efforts to strengthen the conservation of its abundant wetland resources that provide ideal habitats for migrant birds, said local authorities.

A bird's-eye view of the Taicang section of the Yangtze River. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Water birds at a wetland in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]