Beijing, Feb 22 (IANS) At least three purple swamphens were spotted in China's Yunnan province, said local forestry bureau on Monday.
With blue and purple plumage, a red beak and yellow feet, the purple swamphen is considered by many to be the most beautiful water bird in the world, Xinhua reported.
"This is the first sighting of the purple swamphen at Puzhehei wetland," said Ji Jun from thed Qiubei Forestry Bureau.
"Though widely distributed throughout the world, they have only been found in a few areas in China."
The Puzhehei wetland has seen its bird numbers grow under a 20-million-yuan ($three million) investment from Qiubei county government to protect the environment.
The area has more than 140 bird species, accounting for 10 percent of the country's total bird species.
