Liu Guanghui, an administrator of the Caohai National Nature Reserves, spotted two strange birds with glittering deep maroon feathers and long bent bills in Caohai Scenic Spot, Guizhou province, on May 3.

The two birds were identified by experts as glossy ibises, a second-class protected species. It was the first time ever that the glossy ibis has been spotted in Guizhou.

Counting these two glossy ibises, there is a record new number of 225 bird species in the Caihao National Nature Reserves.

The glossy ibis mainly inhabits very shallow water and nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands. However, the increasingly severe water pollution has eroded its habitat and sharply cut down the number of the endangered birds.

The China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals had earlier announced the extinction of the glossy ibis; fortunately, later in 2009, some were spotted successively in Kunming, Xichang and Xilingol.

A glossy ibis stands in the wetland in Caohai Scenic Spot, Guizhou province, on May 3. [Photo/gywb.cn]

Edited by Peter Nordlinger