The Aythya baeri, a critically endangered species in the world known as the "giant panda among birds", was recently spotted at the Fengqi Lake wetland in the Taizhou Medical High-tech Zone – located in Taizhou city, in East China's Jiangsu province.
This is the first time the rare species has been found in Taizhou since records began.
This bird, along with other rare species – such as the red-headed pochard, white sand duck and the coot – is in good company. It's among more than 20 species of birds to have flown in this year to spend winter in Fengqi Lake. Altogether, more than 1,500 birds have arrived at the lake.
Lu Kai from the Jiangsu Academy of Environmental Industry and Technology attributed the lake's popularity to its tranquil environment, pristine ecology and the surrounding farmland and saplings – which provide abundant food sources and safe night roosts for waterbirds.
The vegetation not only provides shelter for waterbirds, but also provides a breeding ground for them, Lu added.
The ultra-rare Aythya baeri is spotted at Fengqi Lake wetland. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
The pristine Fengqi Lake attracts large numbers of birds. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]