Glossy Ibis Returns

After disappearing for 15 years, the glossy ibis (彩鹮)—a beautiful and rare bird—has been found again at Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve in Hebei province. The glossy ibis has been protected at the highest level in China. This exciting news was shared by local officials.

Zhang Yuguang, an official in the city of Hengshui, explained that the glossy ibis had not been seen in China for many years until January 2009, when one was found in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Then, in May 2010, researchers from Hengshui University suddenly caught sight of a single ibis at Hengshui Lake. Recently, a local bird photographer saw another one. The bird was seen using its long, curved bill to search for food in the mud and cleaning its feathers.

The glossy ibis likes warm lakes, rivers, and marshes. It often eats small creatures like insects, shrimp, and shellfish. It usually lives near other ibises and herons. However, this bird is very picky about its habitat. Its return after 15 years shows that the lake's environment has improved.

Hengshui Lake is an important place for migratory birds because it lies on the East Asian-Australasian flyway. It is one of the few remaining healthy wetlands on the North China Plain. Thanks to years of protection, the lake now provides a safe home for birds to rest, nest, and spend the winter.

So far, 336 different bird species have been recorded at the reserve, including 21 that are under first-class national protection. The return of the glossy ibis is a sign that the lake's ecosystem is becoming healthier now, which is great news for both birds and people.