Recently, Zhu Guangyuan, a student from the University of Science and Technology of China, unexpectedly discovered a charming blue bird while observing birds at Dashu Mountain in Hefei. After identification by bird experts in Anhui Province, this little bird was confirmed to be a Blue-fronted Redstart, marking the first record of this species in Anhui.

The Blue-fronted Redstart is a small, vibrantly colored bird. The male features a striking blue forehead and orange-red tail feathers, while the female is more subdued, primarily brownish-gray. They typically inhabit subalpine zones or open grasslands at altitudes between 3,000 to 5,200 meters and migrate to open forests at around 1,000 meters for the winter. This species exhibits the typical tail-bobbing behavior of redstarts, often flicking their tails up and down, making them appear lively and adorable.

The Blue-fronted Redstart is mainly distributed in central and southern China, including regions such as southern Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia. Previously, experts had speculated that this bird species might exist in Hefei, but due to its small size and elusive nature, capturing clear images has proven very difficult, and it had not been confirmed until now. The discovery of the Blue-fronted Redstart at Dashu Mountain not only verifies the experts' hypothesis but also adds a new entry to the study of avian diversity in Anhui Province.

Source: Hefei Evening News