New species of bird discovered in China

June 2008. A new bird species of bird has been discovered in China near the border with Vietnam.
China's Xinhua news agency has reported that the LBJ is called the Nonggang Babbler after the nature reserve where it was discovered.

The ornithologists Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu, who discovered the bird, suggested that it is likely that it hasn't been discovered previously as it is very small and shy. The Babbler prefers to stay on the ground, and only seems to take to the air when startled. It was first seen in 2004 and after 4 years of field work confirmed it has been confirmed as a new species.

Professor Zhou explained that some 100 pairs of the birds have been recorded in the nature reserve, but that conservation efforts were still required to project the species. "As they could also exist in the Karst rainforest outside the reserve, logging and burning wood to make charcoal pose a threat to their wider habitat, given the bird's small number and its threatened habitat, it's important to include it in the state list of protected species." He said.

Click here to see the report and an image on Xinhua.