Chongqing’s Avian Diversity Soars with New Discoveries

Chongqing - Chongqing, renowned as a bastion of biodiversity, has once again been the stage for a noteworthy ecological event. The newly updated Bird Checklists of Chongqing now identifies 538 species of wild birds within the region, representing 36% of China's total avian diversity. This latest revision is particularly distinguished by adding eight novel bird species, which augment Chongqing's biodiversity and contribute a pivotal chapter to the narrative of ecological civilization development.

On April 7, the Chongqing Bird Watching Society unveiled the Bird Checklists of Chongqing 8.0, chronicling this remarkable discovery. This edition introduces eight new species to the region: the Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (Garrulax monileger), Blyth's Pipit (Anthus godlewskii), Chestnut Bunting (Emberiza rutila), Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), and Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis). Their discovery enriches Chongqing's ecological narrative and offers fresh insights and data critical for biodiversity conservation.

The inaugural recording of the Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush presents a fascinating tale. This elusive bird was detected not through human endeavor but via an infrared camera in the remote Wulipo area of Wushan County. This event underscores the pivotal role of technology in nature observation, showcases the advancement in Chongqing's ecological monitoring capabilities, and signifies a forward direction in wildlife conservation.

Identifying the Black-winged Kite has unraveled a scientific enigma, filling a longstanding gap in Chongqing's wildlife distribution records and offering key insights into the raptor's ecological behaviors and migratory patterns. Similarly, the unexpected rescue and subsequent documentation of the Himalayan Vulture in Kaizhou District underscore the community's commitment to wildlife preservation and enrich the city's biodiversity research portfolio.

The appearance of the Black-throated Loon in Jiangjin District towards the close of 2022 has spotlighted the Yangtze River wetlands, showcasing their ecological significance. Additionally, the consistent sightings of the Greater White-fronted Goose stand as a testament to the area's ecological resilience. Once a sporadic visitor, this species has become a regular inhabitant of Chongqing's Yangtze River wetlands. This transition underscores the successful enhancement of the wetland's ecological health and the city's commendable strides in biodiversity conservation, highlighting a symbiotic relationship between wildlife and their habitats, indicative of the broader ecological success stories unfolding across Chongqing's natural landscapes.

The unearthing of the Glossy Ibis stands out as a significant milestone in Chongqing's environmental research and preservation efforts, made possible by the dedicated observations of a passionate birdwatcher in Liangping Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park. The emergence of this nationally protected species, once feared extinct within Chinese borders, serves as an emblem of Chongqing's vibrant and robust ecological tapestry.