A male Zappey's Flycatcher is spotted in the Baishanzu National Park. [Photo by Li Xuan/Tide News]

A team of bird researchers discovered a pair of Cyanoptila cumatilis in the Baishanzu National Park in Lishui, Zhejiang province on June 9. This is the first time the bird has been sighted in Zhejiang. 

The male bird demonstrated obvious territorial singing behavior, indicating that the species may be breeding in the area, said Yan Zhiwen, a member of the bird research team from the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History.

A female Zappey's Flycatcher is spotted in the Baishanzu National Park. [Photo by Li Xuan/Tide News]

The Cyanoptila cumatilis, also known as Zappey's Flycatcher, is characterized by the male's glazed blue feathers and white lower belly, giving it a striking appearance. The female, in comparison, has a more plain brown-gray appearance.

The discovery of these birds displaying breeding behavior challenges existing knowledge of their breeding territories.

"Normally, this bird species begins breeding in May and is not known to delay until June. Where we spotted them is also far away from their previously known breeding areas," explained Yan.

"We expect that further investigation into their nests or fledglings may confirm the bird's breeding habits in Zhejiang," Yan added.

This is not the first time a new bird species has been discovered in Baishanzu National Park. Over the past decade, Lishui has identified 12 new bird species, with six in the park, according to Li Xuan, vice-president of the Lishui Bird Ecology Conservation Association.