A record six glossy ibises, national first-class protected wild animals in China, were spotted at a lotus pond in Lianjiang, Zhanjiang, making it the city's highest number ever in a single observation.
The glossy ibis is a medium-sized wading bird that measures 50 to 70 centimeters in length. In sunlight, its plumage can display metallic shades of deep chestnut, green, bronze and violet. The species vanished from China and remained absent for nearly 70 years before reappearing in 2003.
The lotus pond in Lianjiang has abundant vegetation, good water quality and low human disturbance, making it an important habitat for local birds. Previous records for Zhanjiang included one glossy ibis in 2005, three in 2020 and two in 2025. In the most recent sighting, the six birds were seen foraging, resting and flying over shallow waters.
As autumn sets in, migratory birds begin their journey southward. Guangdong lies along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and is home to 584 recorded wild bird species, including 412 migratory ones.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photos | Nanfang Plus
