Chongqing - May 22 marks International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated this year under the theme "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development." The day calls for renewed efforts to foster coexistence between people and nature and advance global biodiversity protection.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers at Chongqing Xuebaoshan National Nature Reserve have for the first time documented the presence of the blackthroat, a vulnerable species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under China’s national regulations. This discovery not only adds a new bird species to Chongqing's biodiversity records but may also reshape scientific understanding of the species’ global breeding range.

The blackthroat is singing. (Photo/Kaizhou District)

The finding is the result of a close collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Forestry and Xuebaoshan reserve staff. While conducting field surveys in dense arrow bamboo forests at over 2,300 meters elevation, the research team used acoustic playback technology to successfully attract an adult blackthroat. The team captured high-resolution video, ecological photographs, and audio recordings of the bird’s song.

“We were collecting bird calls in the forest when we heard an unfamiliar sound. Trusting my instinct, I immediately played back the recording on site. To our amazement, a blackthroat emerged from the bamboo and circled overhead, responding vigorously,” said Dr. Sun Ge, PhD in Zoology from Peking University and assistant researcher at the Chinese Academy of Forestry. “The materials we collected provide an unprecedented look at the bird’s features and natural behaviors, offering valuable resources for future scientific research.”

The blackthroat, sometimes called the “mysterious singer of Asia,” is rare, elusive, and famed for its melodious song. Since its first recorded discovery in southern Gansu in the late 19th century, the bird has seldom been observed in the wild. In 2011, the first field photographs of the species sparked international attention, and subsequent studies identified stable breeding sites in Foping and Changqing nature reserves in the Qinling Mountains. The blackthroat migrates annually to breed in high-altitude regions between late April and early May, and winters in the south starting in late August. Until now, only two stable global breeding populations had been confirmed.

Chongqing Xuebaoshan National Nature Reserve. (Photo/Kaizhou District)

The Xuebaoshan discovery occurred during the species’ typical breeding period and in a habitat closely matching known nesting sites—dense arrow bamboo forest. Researchers believe the site could represent a third stable global breeding ground for the blackthroat.

“Our conclusion is based on three key lines of evidence: the timing of the observation matches the species’ breeding season; the strong territorial response to playback is characteristic during breeding; and the arrow bamboo habitat is highly similar to that of known breeding areas in Qinling,” said Dr. Sun. The discovery highlights the effectiveness of Xuebaoshan’s conservation work and provides new clues for further study of the blackthroat’s breeding ecology. Researchers have begun systematic monitoring of the species’ breeding behavior and nesting sites.

This landmark finding not only enhances understanding of Chongqing’s avian diversity but also contributes to broader efforts in global biodiversity conservation.