An amur paradise flycatcher perches on a branch at Kaisha Island in Tongzhou district, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

An amur paradise flycatcher, affectionately known as the "Fairy of the Forest", was recently spotted for the first time in a woodland area of northeastern Kaisha Island in Tongzhou district, Nantong, enriching the region's avian biodiversity.

Classified as a national third-class protected species in China, this bird is named for the male's strikingly elongated central tail, which is several times the length of its body and resembles a silky ribbon. Since its Chinese name features the character "寿" (meaning longevity), sharing the same pronunciation as another character "绶" (an accessory denoting an officer's rank in ancient China), the bird has been regarded as a symbol of fortune and longevity.

Primarily distributed across central to northeastern China, the amur paradise flycatcher is highly sensitive to ecological conditions, making its presence a testament to the health of the local environment.

Kaisha Island, a riverine island in the lower reaches of Yangtze River, features a relatively intact wetland-woodland ecosystem, providing an ideal habitat for rare birds.