The sighting of an owl on the grass at a park in downtown Shenzhen, a seaside city in southern China, caused a frenzy of bird watchers last week.
The bird was standing on the ground, seemingly lost. But it managed to pull itself together and fly to a tree.
A fledgling Asian barred owlet. /Peng Dan
A fledgling Asian barred owlet. /Peng Dan
The bird was later identified as a fledgling Asian barred owlet, which has yet to fully master the art of flying and somehow ended on the grass.
Yet that wasn't the only surprising discovery. As it turned out, the bird wasn't alone. It was part of a family of four living in the park.
It was a sight to behold. Not only is it rare to see any owl in action during the day in downtown Shenzhen but to spot four? All related? For many at the scene, it felt like winning the lottery.
CGTN's Shenzhen-based contributor Fang Qiaoran was on the ground, having been the first to photograph all four members of the owl family.
"It's the first time that we have found an Asian barred owlet couple raising their chicks in downtown Shenzhen," Fang said, visibly excited.
A fledgling Asian barred owlet. /Fang Qiaoran
Two fledgling Asian barred owlets. /Fang Qiaoran
A fledgling Asian barred owlet. /Fang Qiaoran
Fang said the trick to distinguish the young owls from their adult parents was to look at their claws. The mature birds usually have rough skin with fur, while those of the young ones are usually yellow and appear soft. She added that the owl species, unlike other nocturnal birds, is also active during the day, with many having been spotted foraging during daytime in Shenzhen.
An Asian barred owlet (adult, male). /Fang Qiaoran
An Asian barred owlet (adult, female). /Fang Qiaoran
In order to protect the birds, the park cordoned off the area where the young owl was spotted. Many bird experts also advised the public to keep a safe distance and avoid making large noises to prevent disturbing the birds.
The young birds are in the process of learning to fly and might take off once they are fully prepared. But bird lovers like Fang hope that the parents choose the park as their long-term home instead of a temporary shelter.
Two fledgling Asian barred owlets. /Fang Qiaoran
Two fledgling Asian barred owlets. /Fang Qiaoran
Two fledgling Asian barred owlets. /Fang Qiaoran
More from the contributor:
Butterflies thrive in S China forest park
Bird lover encounters rare pheasant in forest in S China
Birds embrace spring romance in southern China
Birdlover's journal: Struggling with COVID-19 quarantine
Birdlover's collection in south China nature reserve
Birds at a city park might surprise you
A black-faced spoonbill swallows fish at S China bay
Bird Lovers' Journal: Looking for owls in SW China's rainforest
Bird lover's journal: Discovery of bee-eater couple raises questions
Bird lover's journal: The beauty lies in uncertainties
Monkey-faced owl couple finds home in SW China botanical garden
Spearhead migratory birds reach S China's Shenzhen
Master fisher enjoys prey in southern China's Shenzhen City
Bird lover's journal: 45 bird species in two days is just not enough
Critically endangered birds forage at sunset on S China beach
Bird lover captures bird endemic to southern China's Hainan island
Bird lover captures strange green magpie in Shenzhen City
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)