In Nanxiong, Shaoguan, a pair of White-eared Night Herons (Oroanassa magnifica) has successfully raised three chicks this year at the Xiaoliukeng–Qingzhangshan Provincial Nature Reserve in Guangdong Province. The breeding success came after more than a decade of continuous observation by reserve rangers.
The White-eared Night Heron is a Class I nationally protected wild animal in China and a medium-sized member of the heron family. It was once listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one of the world's 30 most endangered bird species. At the time, its global population was estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals. Known for its nocturnal habits and elusive behavior, the species has earned the nickname "the world's most mysterious bird."
The reserve rangers first recorded the presence of White-eared Night Herons in 2012.
This year, due to lower water levels in the reservoir, parts of the original riverbed were exposed during the breeding season, allowing the parent birds to forage in nearby areas both upstream and downstream of the nesting tree.
According to the reserve management, White-eared Night Herons typically breed once a year, laying about three eggs per clutch. If a nest remains undisturbed and intact after the chicks fledge, the birds may return to lay eggs in the same nest the following year.
The species' breeding success is often influenced by factors such as water levels, food availability, weather conditions and human disturbance. The successful rearing of three chicks this year provided valuable reference data for future conservation and research efforts on this rare species within the reserve.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photos | Nanfang Plus
