A long-tailed rosefinch was spotted recently in Nanhaizi Park, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Center (Beijing E-Town), marking the first sighting of this species in the area.

The long-tailed rosefinch found in Nanhaizi Park

The long-tailed rosefinch is found mainly in northeastern China, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia on the Chinese mainland. Adult birds are often solitary or in pairs, and juveniles tend to flock together.

The male bird seen this time in Nanhaizi Park has a pale pink iridescence on the front and sides of its forehead, dark rose-red on the back of the head and nape, a black-brown back with a reddish tinge on the upper back and rose-red on its rump.

"We speculate that the appearance of the long-tailed rosefinch in Nanhaizi may be due to it getting lost during its migration, and the Nanhaizi area happens to provide the necessary resting place for it," said a monitor at the Beijing Biodiversity Conservation Research Center.

Migration is an important phase in the life cycle of birds and is crucial in their adaptation to the natural environment, survival and reproduction. During the migration season, Beijing, located on the East Asia-Australasia flyway, welcomes large numbers of migratory birds traveling north and south.

Nanhaizi is situated in the southwest of the Beijing E-Town. Thanks to years of ecological protection and development, the area boasts expansive water surfaces, winding river channels, extensive reed beds, an undulating terrain, diverse topography, and dense vegetation. These features attract birds seeking shelter and rest.