Shanghai documented 534 species of wild birds in 2024, accounting for about 30 percent of China's total wild bird species, according to the Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administration Bureau, which made the announcement at the opening of the 44th bird-loving week on April 12.

The week-long event includes the 20th Shanghai Bird-Watching Competition on April 19 at Binjiang Forest Park in the Pudong New Area, along with themed exhibitions and activities aimed at raising public awareness of wildlife protection.

Situated at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai plays a pivotal role as a crucial stopover along the East Asia-Australasia flyway for migratory birds. The city has placed significant emphasis on constructing more habitats for wild animals, in addition to the existing wild bird habitats such as Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve and Jiuduansha Wetland National Nature Reserve.

In Shanghai's urban areas, large parks such as the Shanghai Botanical Garden, Chenshan Botanical Garden, Binjiang Forest Park, Gongqing Forest Park, and Century Park have become habitats for an increasing number of bird species, with rare bird sightings reported from time to time.

Sources: shanghai.gov.cn, thepaper.cn