Rare bird population rises in North China's Shanxi
North China's Shanxi province has reported a rise in the population of rare bird species.
TroibNews 
According to a two-year survey conducted in north China's Shanxi Province, the population of brown eared pheasants, a bird species that is categorized as first-class national protection in China, is showing a steady increase while its distribution areas are expanding.
The findings indicate that the average population of brown eared pheasants in Shanxi is around 19,000. These birds are currently found in four geographical regions, including Lyuliang Mountain and Taihang Mountain, spread across 45 counties and districts in eight cities within the province.
Yue Kuiqing, deputy director of the Shanxi provincial forestry and grassland bureau, noted that brown eared pheasants faced a dire situation in the 1980s, when they were on the brink of extinction in Shanxi. However, after over 40 years of persistent efforts, significant advancements have been achieved in the conservation of this species.
Yue highlighted that the improvement of the species' habitats has been facilitated through various measures, including habitat protection, scientific research, rescue operations, and breeding initiatives.
There has been a marked increase in the number of county-level areas and nature reserves where the brown eared pheasant is found when compared to the 1990s, along with a steady growth in its population, Yue explained.
Endemic to China, the brown eared pheasant is characterized by its predominantly dark brown plumage and white tail feathers.
Wild populations are mainly present in several provincial-level regions, including Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Beijing, with the Lyuliang Mountain area in Shanxi being the core distribution zone. In 1984, the Shanxi government declared the brown eared pheasant as its provincial bird.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The findings indicate that the average population of brown eared pheasants in Shanxi is around 19,000. These birds are currently found in four geographical regions, including Lyuliang Mountain and Taihang Mountain, spread across 45 counties and districts in eight cities within the province.
Yue Kuiqing, deputy director of the Shanxi provincial forestry and grassland bureau, noted that brown eared pheasants faced a dire situation in the 1980s, when they were on the brink of extinction in Shanxi. However, after over 40 years of persistent efforts, significant advancements have been achieved in the conservation of this species.
Yue highlighted that the improvement of the species' habitats has been facilitated through various measures, including habitat protection, scientific research, rescue operations, and breeding initiatives.
There has been a marked increase in the number of county-level areas and nature reserves where the brown eared pheasant is found when compared to the 1990s, along with a steady growth in its population, Yue explained.
Endemic to China, the brown eared pheasant is characterized by its predominantly dark brown plumage and white tail feathers.
Wild populations are mainly present in several provincial-level regions, including Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Beijing, with the Lyuliang Mountain area in Shanxi being the core distribution zone. In 1984, the Shanxi government declared the brown eared pheasant as its provincial bird.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
