Of all of the species that inhabit Shenzhen, the Chinese blackbird (Turdus mandarinus) is truly one of a kind. It is a species endemic to China, which means you are not likely to see this bird anywhere else in the world. Although a few have been spotted in northern Vietnam and Laos, they are still not expanding their habitats outside China. Blackbirds are 28-cm-long birds covered entirely in a set of dark feathers, primarily black on top and wings, also with some dark brown ones on their underbellies. Juveniles display a molted throat with lighter-hued feathers. One of the most attractive characteristics of the blackbird is the presence of an orange ring around the eyes that complements an orange or yellowish beak. Blackbirds have an extensive diet consisting mainly of invertebrate animals such as worms, insects and snails. They also feed on berries and seeds, and on some occasions, even small vertebrates like lizards or frogs. Their breeding season starts in March and can last until summer, when they can lay approximately five eggs per clutch, two or three times a year. The incubation period is about two weeks, and the newborns depend on their parents for a little less than a month. Chinese blackbird numbers are increasing, and they are not listed as an endangered species. However, being a species that can be found only in one country automatically makes them a vulnerable species. Conservation of their natural habitats is an urgent call in order for them to have a future on our planet. | 