A black wood pigeon is seen in the Jiulongshan National Forest Park. [Photo provided by Yao Lubing for Tide News]

A rare black wood pigeon has been sighted in Jiulongshan National Forest Park, Pinghu, Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, marking the first confirmed record of the species in the province and the second verified record in China in a century.

The bird, with its metallic green neck and dark plumage, caught Yao Lubing and his companions' attention as it moved through the forest. After taking photos and seeking expert identification, the bird was confirmed as a Columba janthina, a rare pigeon species typically found on southern Japanese islands and parts of Shandong province. With this finding, Pinghu now holds three new provincial-level bird records.

Experts say the arrival of such a sensitive species reflects the improving ecological environment of Jiaxing. Recent years have seen more frequent appearances of endangered species such as the oriental stork and black-faced spoonbill. By the end of 2024, Jiaxing had documented 4,465 species citywide, including 62 key protected species.

Jiulongshan, one of Zhejiang's main raptor migration corridors, has become a top birdwatching site. The city's third annual raptor monitoring program began in mid-September and will continue for over 50 days, gathering data to support long-term bird conservation and research.