A yellow-breasted bunting rests in a wheat field. [Photo/WeChat account: nxfbwx]

A group of yellow-breasted buntings was spotted in a wheat field in Nanxun district, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on May 8.

Due to a sharp decline in its population, the species was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2017 and was added to China's list of wild animals under state priority conservation in 2021.

The yellow-breasted bunting, measuring about 15 centimeters in length, is characterized by its bright yellow chest in males and pale yellow in females.

As a migratory bird, it passes through Huzhou in spring and autumn, favoring open habitats such as farmland, shrubs, and reed beds. It feeds on plant seeds and insects and is sensitive to habitat quality, water conditions, and vegetation, making it an indicator of ecological health.

The presence of yellow-breasted buntings in Nanxun reflects the district's excellent water environment, farmland ecology, and habitat conditions.

To date, 163 bird species, including the nationally first-class protected black-faced spoonbill, have been recorded in Nanxun.