A rare sighting of the Oriental darter, a globally near-threatened bird species, has been reported for the first time in south China’s island province of Hainan, according to the province’s bird records agency.
The Oriental darter, also known as the snakebird due to its long, slender neck, was spotted perched atop a tree canopy in Changjiang Haiwei National Wetland Park. With a brown head and neck and a distinctive white stripe running from its chin down to its chest, the bird’s darker feathers gave it a striking appearance.
Primarily a fish hunter, the Oriental darter is typically found near freshwater lakes and rivers. It uses its sharp beak and agile neck to spear fish underwater. Listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, sightings of this bird are now extremely rare in China.
“This is an exciting development for bird conservation in Hainan,” said a spokesperson from the bird records agency. “The presence of the Oriental darter indicates the health and biodiversity of our wetland ecosystems.”
Conservationists hope that the Oriental darter’s appearance in Hainan signals a positive trend in habitat preservation efforts, encouraging further protection of wetland areas crucial for the survival of such rare species.
