Rare glossy ibis spotted in Longwan after 12 years

Two glossy ibises forage on farmland. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]

Wenzhou citizen Jin Zhiwei captured a remarkable sight near Wenzhou Longwan International Airport — a pair of rare glossy ibises, on April 22.

These elegant birds were leisurely foraging in the fields alongside other herons. Jin, an avid wildlife photographer, excitedly documented their graceful movements as they searched for food and took flight.

According to seasoned bird enthusiasts, it has been 12 years since the last sighting of glossy ibises in the Wenzhou area. The previous encounter occurred on Longwan's Lingkun Island, where only one specimen was found. These striking birds are a precious find, considering their limited distribution and scarcity in China.

Glossy ibises primarily inhabit warm rivers, lakes, and marshes, occasionally venturing into rice fields. They are social creatures, often mingling with other heron species. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic insects, insect larvae, shrimp, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Before 2009, the glossy ibis was declared extinct in China according to the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals. However, recent efforts in wildlife conservation, coupled with environmental improvements, have gradually reintroduced these magnificent birds to China. In the 2021 edition of the National Key Protected Wildlife List, the glossy ibis was elevated from a second-class protected species to a first-class protected species.