Recently, a Malayan night heron was captured by infrared cameras in Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve in Zhaoqing city, Guangdong. This is the first report of a discovery of such species in Zhaoqing, setting a new record for the distribution of birds in the natural reserve.
(Photo: Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve)
Malayan night heron, also known as Malaysian night heron and tiger bittern, is listed on the Red List of China's Vertebrates and classified as a second-class protected animal in China. In recent years, there have been some records of Malayan night heron in Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Guangzhou and Zhuhai in Guangdong, but they are uncommon.
The Malayan night heron mainly inhabits woodland and scrub near water sources. The Malayan night heron found in Zhaoqing was spotted in a mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest less than 100 meters from the water source. This kind of bird is the third new species found in the Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve this year, following the sulphur-breasted warbler and rufous-faced warbler.
It is reported that there are 2,291 types of higher plants, 232 species of birds, 41 species of mammals, 54 kinds of reptiles, 23 kinds of amphibians, 713 types of insects and 836 species of macrofungi recorded in this reserve. With rich biological resources, Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve boasts the reputation of being a "living natural museum" and a "treasure house of species".
Related information: Dinghu Mountain: A wildlife wonderland in Zhaoqing, Guangdong
Author | Holly
Editor | Wing, Nan, Monica, Jerry
