China: Rare glossy ibises spotted in Ningxia.

Two glossy ibises, an endangered bird species under first-class national protection in China, were spotted in the Yuguang Lake Wetland in Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Friday. The water birds were seen foraging in a littoral meadow in the ecological conservation area. Once considered extinct in China until 2009, the glossy ibis mainly inhabits shallow wetlands and is hailed as a "rainbow of the wetlands," because its feather displays a brilliant metallic sheen under the sunlight. Extremely sensitive to its habitat environment, the glossy ibis is an important indicator species for the health of wetland ecosystems, so the appearance of the two birds indicates an improving environment in the Yuguang Lake Wetland. Shotlist: Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China - June 26, 2026: 1. Various of glossy ibis foraging in littoral meadow; 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Zhijun, employee, Yuguang Lake Wetland (starting with shot 1, ending with shots 3-4): "In the littoral meadow behind me, we have seen two glossy ibises, which are under first-class national protection. Last year, around this time, we spotted three glossy ibises along the Yellow River. I think this is very encouraging for our wetland ecological protection work."; 3. Glossy ibis foraging in littoral meadow; 4. Various of birds in wetland; 5. Birds flying above wetland. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]