Large Rosy Starling Population Discovered in Yunnan Province, Previously Declared Extinct in China

The photo shows a population of rosy starling in Jiangchuan, Yunnan. Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee.

China News Agency, Kunming, March 13th, reporter learned from the Publicity Department of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee of Yunnan Province that recently in Jiangchuan District, Yuxi City, Starry Lake National Wetland Park monitored the presence of rosy starlings. The survey found 21 rosy starlings, which is currently the largest population discovered in China.

The photo shows a population of rosy starling in Jiangchuan, Yunnan. Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee.

Rosy starlings are a secondary protected animal in China. Their plumage is mostly copper-bronze, with a long and downward-curved beak, and has a beautiful shape and high recognition degree. In the 1998 edition of ‘China’s Endangered Animals Red Book,’ the World Natural Protection Alliance declared the rosy starling to be extinct in China domestically.

The photo shows a population of rosy starling in Jiangchuan, Yunnan. Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee.

In 2012, Yunnan Province first recorded rosy starlings, and subsequent records have occurred more than 20 times, but mostly as solitary birds or small populations. The discovery of 21 starlings in Jiangchuan District is the largest population observed and recorded in the country so far.

The photo shows a population of rosy starling in Jiangchuan, Yunnan. Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee.

It is reported that in recent years, Jiangchuan District of Yuxi has vigorously promoted the restoration of the Starry Lake ecosystem and wetland lakeside construction. The national wetland where the starlings were discovered now has aquatic plants and small fish and shrimp living in submerged vegetation, which is very suitable for starlings to hunt and live in.