Sunday, February 15, 2009

New Bird Species Discovered in China

Ornithologists from Guangxi University have discovered a new bird species in southwest China near its border with Vietnam.

Named Stachyris nonggangensis, or the Nonggang babbler after the wildlife reserve at which it was discovered, this bird is closely related to the known sooty babbler also of the Guangxi province of China. It seems to prefer running to flying, foraging for insects on the forest floor, in contrast to other babbler species that seldom come to the ground.

The new babbler species lives in what is known as the Chinese Mountains Endemic Bird Area, one of the most biodiverse tropical regions in the world. The discovery of a new species is significant as it may indicate many more as-yet unknown species in this part of the world that is quickly being deforested for lumber and charcoal.

These results were published in a recent edition of The Auk.

Source: ScienceDaily

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