A MALE falcated duck was spotted at the Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve in Futian District during a recent bird survey, the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve said.

The last time this rare migratory bird was observed in Shenzhen was in March 2018.

The falcated duck is listed as a near threatened bird in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Since 2005, there have been only 10 observation records in the Futian mangrove reserve, and the maximum number of a single observation is five.

According to data from Hong Kong, falcated ducks were more common in Shenzhen Bay in the 1980s, with the highest record of more than 400.

However, the ducks have become uncommon winter migratory birds nowadays, with only a few being recorded at most.

On Dec. 1 this year, during a bird survey in the Futian reserve, the staff found a distinctive bird among a group of ducks at the edge of the reserve, whose crested green-toned head shone under the sunlight.

After careful observation, the staff confirmed that it is a male falcated duck.

According to the Futian mangrove reserve, more than a few rare birds, such as the national protected black stork, the Chinese egret and the falcated duck, have been recorded in the reserve this year.

Many migratory birds have high requirements for their habitats, such as abundant food and clear water in the foraging waters. The appearance of these “rare visitors” shows that the reserve’s improving ecological environment appeals to more wild birds, the reserve explained. (Zhang Yu)