A gorsachius magnificusis spotted by an infrared camera in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, on Jan 12. [Photo/xxcb.cn]
Gorsachius magnificus, dubbed the world's most mysterious bird, was captured by an infrared camera in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province on Jan 12.
It was the second time the first-class national protected species has been spotted in Wenzhou since 2015.
The bird was spotted near the Nanxi River at 18:26, Jan 12, when a white, plump figure walked into the camera's sights.
The camera was being used to study the Chinese merganser by the Wenzhou wildlife conservation authorities and Professor Zhang Yongpu's team from Wenzhou University.
"The rich fish resources and strong natural environment around the Nanxi River have made it easier to attract birds that eat fish from streams and reservoirs," professor Zhang said.
"Further research is needed to confirm whether or not gorsachius magnificusis is a resident bird, migratory bird, or just passing by," Zhang added.
Gorsachius magnificus was named after the Wuzhi Mountain in South China's Hainan province in 1899. The nocturnal bird, which is unique to China, is similar in shape and size to herons and mainly preys on small fish in streams or reservoirs. It is mostly silent, and extremely rare, leading to its reputation as the world's most mysterious bird.
A gorsachius magnificusis. [File photo/66wz.com]
