A team of international researchers has recently discovered a new species of bird in central China.
The bird was named the “Sichuan bush warbler” and scientists were able to identify it due to its distinctive way of singing.
The scientific name of the new species of bird is Locustella chengi.
Pamela Ramussen, a researcher from the Michigan State University and the Natural History Museum at Tring, UK and one of the lead authors of the study, explained that the Sichuan bush warbler is a very reclusive bird, making it difficult for the researchers to spot it.
Also, Ramussen said that the bird usually lives in a dense brush habitat and prefers the tea plantations.
However, the bird was discovered because it has a distinctive way of singing. Ramussen said the bird sings in a
“low-pitched drawn-out buzz, followed by a shorter click, repeated in series.”
The new species of bird called the Sichuan bush warbler lives in central China and although the bird is very secretive, its population is still in a good number and is not threatened with extinction, as it usually is the case with reclusive species.
The researchers said that the bird is living comfortably in its habitat and its future is safe.
The scientists who discovered the new species of bird said it named it Locustella chengi in honor of the late Professor Cheng Tso-hsin whose contribution to Chinese ornithology is extremely important.
The researchers said that Professor Cheng Tso-hsin’s most important paper on Chinese ornithology is called “A Synopsis of the Avifauna of China is the most widely known outside of China.”
The Sichuan bush warbler is close related to the Russet bush warbler, a species of bird that also lives in the mountainous regions.
The Sichuan bush warbler is usually found in the lower mountains.
According to the experts, the two bird species are very similar, genetically speaking.
The researchers performed a mitochondrial DNA analysis and discovered that the birds are very close related. Also, the DNA analysis revealed that the two species of birds had common ancestors that go back approximately 850,000 years ago.
Professor Ramussen said that the team of researchers who discovered the bird wanted to pay homage to Professor Cheng Tso-hsin for his valuable contributions to the world of ornithology.
The team of ornithologists who discovered the new species consisted of researchers from United States, China, Sweden, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
Image Source: inferse
