Global News - June 2008

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New species of bird identified in China

Thu 19 June 2008 14:00 UK — Asia,Birds

A new species of bird has been discovered living close to the Chinese border with Vietnam.

The state Xinhua news agency reported that the small, brown bird has been named the Nonggang Babbler after the nature reserve it was found in.

Discovered by Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu, the bird generally walks and only takes flight when startled.

The ornithologists suggested that its small size and shyness could be reasons why the bird had not previously been noticed.

It was first spotted in 2004 and four years of field work confirmed it was a new species.

Graduate student Jiang Aiwu explained to the news agency: "After seeing the birds a few times during our survey, Professor Zhou told me it's probably a new species."

Professor Zhou added: "Finding a new bird is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for even a leading ornithologist."

He went on to explain to the news agency that around 100 pairs of the birds have now been spotted in the nature reserve, but that conservation efforts were still required to project the species.

"As they could also exist in the Karst rainforest outside the reserve, logging and burning wood to make charcoal pose a threat to their wider habitat," he said.

"Given the bird's small number and its threatened habitat, it's important to include it in the state list of protected species."

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