Glossy ibises nest for first time in Jiangxi wetlands

Glossy ibises are seen constructing nests in Jiangxi province in June. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Glossy ibises have recently birthed their first nestlings in the waters of Yongxiu county at Poyang Lake in East China's Jiangxi province, marking the first record of glossy ibises nesting in the province.

The rare birds were spotted in May constructing nests in the reserve's wetlands, marking a milestone in the species' slow recovery and underscoring the revitalization of one of Asia's most critical ecosystems.

Glossy ibises are seen constructing nests in Jiangxi province in June. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The breeding of glossy ibises at Poyang Lake is a first for Jiangxi and extremely rare in China," said Wang Xiaolong, a patroller and level-four researcher at the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve Administration.

"The environment here, which includes reservoirs, rice fields, and an abundance of food, is very conducive to their nesting." According to Wang, analysis appears to confirm the nestlings hatched around mid-May.

Glossy ibises are seen constructing nests in Jiangxi province in June. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Close relatives of the scarlet ibis, glossy ibises have a tiny population. They are rarer than the giant panda, hence earning them the title of "the giant panda of birds".

In 2021, glossy ibises were elevated to national first-class protected animals due to habitat loss and environmental pollution.

来源：中国日报

编辑：熊睿

审核：刘毅 甘晶莹

监制：郑颖