The Hill Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis whitei) has been recorded in Dongguan for the first time at Huangqishan Urban Park, adding a new entry to the city's wild bird checklist.
On May 7 this year, a volunteer from the Dongguan Station of the China Breeding Bird Survey heard an unfamiliar, melodious call distinct from those of commonly seen local birds while conducting a field survey in the woodland area of the park. About half an hour later, he spotted the bird perched on a sunlit bamboo branch and identified it as a Hill Blue Flycatcher by its deep blue upperparts, orange-brown throat and breast, and white belly.
The Hill Blue Flycatcher, a small passerine bird in the Muscicapidae family, is known for its strict habitat requirements, including dense vegetation, clean air, and abundant insect populations. As an indicator species for forest ecosystem health, its presence reflects the high ecological quality of Huangqishan Urban Park. The park has over 85 percent vegetation cover, with dense bamboo groves and markedly cleaner air than the surrounding urban areas. It is widely regarded as the "green lung" of downtown Dongguan.
By the end of 2025, Dongguan had recorded 363 wild bird species. Increasing sightings of rare birds in both mountain forests and urban parks highlight the city's steadily improving ecological environment.
Author | He Fengyu
Photo | Dongguan Dongcheng
