World's smallest duck spotted for the first time in Shennongjia

(ECNS) — The cotton pygmy goose, known as the world's smallest duck, has been spotted for the first time at the Shennongjia National Park in Hubei Province, the park stated on Tuesday.

Two wildlife photography enthusiasts recently captured images of the rare bird at the Dajiuhu Wetland in southwestern Shennongjia. Experts later identified the species as the cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus coromandelianus), a duck known for its tiny size and elusive nature.

Commonly referred to as the "cotton teal" in China, the goose is the smallest member of the duck family. Due to a significant decline in its population, it is classified as a Class II nationally protected species in China.

The bird is typically found from central and southwestern Sichuan to areas south of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including southern Yunnan, Hainan, and Guangdong provinces, as well as Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Usually seen in pairs or small groups, the individual spotted in Dajiuhu is believed to have been stopping over briefly during its migration.

Cotton pygmy geese are highly selective in their choice of habitat, favoring open waters rich in aquatic vegetation. The Dajiuhu Wetland, a rare subtropical subalpine peat moss wetland, features a wide range of ecosystems including marshes, meadows, shrublands, and forests. This diversity offers ideal conditions for wetland wildlife to breed and thrive.

To date, more than 60 species of waterbirds have been recorded in the Dajiuhu Wetland, highlighting its importance as a critical habitat for migratory and resident birds.

(By Zhao Li)