At 16:40 on October 13, 2021, a bird with a dark maroon glowing dark maroon ribbon was found in the Great Lake Bay (99°44′43.83", 39°24′10.12") in heihe wetland reserve at 16:40. After consulting the "Handbook of Chinese Bird Observation", and online inquiries and consulting experts, it was identified as a new discovery of the Gansu species - the colored ibis.
Painted ibises (scientific name: Plegadis falcinellus): Is a bird of the ornithischia, family Ibis, and Painted Ibises. It is on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss and environmental pollution problems, and belongs to the CITES Appendix III of the Washington Convention. The painted ibis is a nationally protected animal and has been listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2012. The number of colored ibises in China is not high, and the Red Book of Endangered Animals in China has declared that the colored ibises are extinct in China. It is distributed in southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and central America, and has been found in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Chongqing and other places. Because it has not been observed in China for many years, and the national first-class protected animal colored ibis appeared in The Great Lake Bay of Gaotai County, the significance is very unusual, it is a new record of bird discovery in Gansu, which provides new information for the study of birds in our province.
The painted ibises appeared on the high platform and attracted the attention of bird research and photography enthusiasts. This bird is extremely rare in China and was once extinct in China. Many bird friends have come to see it. It is particularly striking with its dark maroon feathers, machete-like beak and long green-brown legs. When it spreads its wings and dances, the color of the feathers will change with the angle of light illumination, becoming colorful, so people named it "Painted Ibis". With the continuous improvement of our ecological environment, we believe that more rare birds will return to people's vision again.
Source: Lingxiu Gaotai Cultural Tourism Information
Editor: Lu Bohan
Audit: Qu Zhengxin