Rare Blue-winged Pittas spotted in Xiamen, SE China's Fujian Province

Photo shows a Blue-winged Pitta, a bird species known for its colorful plumage. (Photo/Tao Hui)

Blue-winged Pittas, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, were recently observed at Xiamen Botanical Garden in Siming district, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province, drawing crowds of birdwatchers.

Often referred to as a "gem of the forest" for its vivid plumage, the Blue-winged Pitta measures around 20 centimeters in length and displays a striking combination of blue, green, red and brown feathers, with its signature bright blue wing patch making it especially distinctive.

According to the Xiamen Birdwatching Society (XBS), Blue-winged Pittas primarily inhabit tropical forests in Southeast Asia and do not have a stable breeding population in China.

Sightings of the birds within the country are rare and typically occur only during migration, making their appearance in Xiamen particularly notable, the XBS said.

Xiamen Botanical Garden, regarded as the city's ecological "green lung," offers dense vegetation, varied tree cover, high humidity and abundant food sources such as insects and berries. Its relatively quiet and sheltered woodland environment provides suitable stopover conditions for migratory birds.

A staff member of Xiamen's municipal bureau of natural resources and planning noted that the birds' appearance serves as a natural indicator of ecological health and reflects notable results of Xiamen's ongoing ecological restoration efforts.

In recent years, the city has advanced green development initiatives, improved urban forest ecosystems and strengthened wildlife protection measures, helping to establish more stable ecological corridors for migratory birds.

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, is spotted at Xiamen Botanical Garden in Siming district, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, perches on a high branch in Xiamen Botanical Garden in Siming district, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, spreads its wings in a forested area of Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Huang Rong)

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, is seen during its migratory stopover in Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Yue Weilin)

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, is spotted in Xiamen Botanical Garden in Siming district, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A Blue-winged Pitta, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, is observed in Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Ying)

File photo shows lush vegetation in Xiamen Botanical Garden in Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

File photo shows an aerial view of Xiamen Botanical Garden, which provides a safe stopover habitat for migratory birds in Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

Birdwatchers display photos of Blue-winged Pittas, a wild bird species under national second-class protection in China, recorded at Xiamen Botanical Garden in Siming district, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)