A rare bird species, the blue-tailed bee-eater, has settled in Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, making the city the world's northernmost breeding place for the species on record.

The blue-tailed bee-eater is a colorful tropical bird that usually inhabits Southeast Asia. Being highly migratory, it can be observed seasonally in the southern and eastern coastal areas in China.

Xiamen City, also in Fujian, used to be the northernmost breeding place for the species. Over the past couple of years, however, the bird was spotted on many occasions in Jinjiang. Some 120 birds are believed to have settled there.

"The birds usually fly over in around April to breed and fly back to Malaysia around August," said Wu Dongta, deputy head of the Quanzhou City Birdwatching Association.

Wu said the increase in the bird's population in the area is probably related to the improvement of the surrounding environment and the abundance and variety of food. The association has observed such birds nestling on the cliffs in the area.

"There are lots of insects and butterflies here, the favorite food for the bee-eater to feed their chicks," said Wu.

Local authorities have strengthened measures to protect the blue-tailed bee-eaters by building isolation belts and protective fences, and by putting up warning signs and disseminating information about bird protection.

(Cover photo via VCG.)

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