Flying more than 8,000 kilometers from Hawaii to Hualien, the protected Lai Island duck.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

[Reporter You Taro/Hualien Report] Distributed in "Laisan Island" in Hawaii, there are only about 500 left in the world, and the "Laidao Duck", which is listed as a CITES I protected animal under the "Washington Convention", flew more than 8,000 kilometers to Ji'an Township, Hualien County. The seven-footed Chuanxi roosts near the estuary of the Chuanxi River, which surprised bird lovers all over Taiwan. Measures such as warnings and harassment have been initiated to protect its safety in Taiwan.

The Conservation and Forestry Division of the Agriculture Department of the Hualien County Government appeals to the public not to harass or feed them. Anyone who violates or involves harassment will be sentenced to a fixed-term imprisonment of less than one year or a fine of 60,000 to 300,000 yuan in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Law. Please join us to protect this precious bird.

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A bird friend surnamed Chen said that this bird was discovered by keen-eyed bird lovers on December 30 last year. After nearly a week of comparison, it was confirmed that it was the "Lai Island Duck" from the Hawaiian Lai San bird. So far only 1 bird has been found. As for why it flew more than 8,000 kilometers to Taiwan, and it is completely different from the migration path of ordinary migratory birds, bird lovers have started to record it, hoping to leave a record of its habitat in Taiwan.

Bird lovers surnamed Wang said that many bird lovers from all over Taiwan have been attracted to take pictures in the past few days. Shooting at close range, even climbing down into the stream, made bird lovers very worried. Now they have actively advised bird lovers or the public who have similar behaviors, hoping not to disturb its habitat in Qijiaochuan Stream.

"Lai Island Duck" only exists on Lai San Island in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a unique species with a small number. It is very similar in appearance to common wild ducks. It has a very strong flying ability. The whole body feathers are dark brown, except for the eyes. It has white feathers and looks like it is wearing a pair of glasses. The beak is shorter than that of ordinary ducks and has black spots on it. However, the color of the beak of male and female ducks is different, and the beak of females is mostly orange-brown. Males are dark green, and the plumage of the male duck is more beautiful, with iridescent or green metallic luster on the feathers on the head and neck.

A bird friend surnamed Chen said that after observation, the bird would hide in the lush grass during the day, and would start looking for food at night, basically opening its mouth along the stream to look for invertebrates, plant seeds, and even water in the grass. algae etc.

The Baolin Branch of the county government stated that the Lai Island Duck (scientific name: Anas laysanensis) belongs to the Anatidae family and is a medium-sized swimming bird.

Usually inhabits the banks of freshwater lakes, and will move in groups in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays and first-class waters along beaches.

There are webbed between the toes of ducks, but they seldom dive. When swimming, their tails are exposed to the surface of the water. They are good at foraging, playing in water and courting and mating in water.

It used to be a subspecies of mallard duck, but it was identified as an independent species in 1987. Through fossil analysis, scientists found that Lai Island duck used to spread all over the Hawaiian Islands, but the number is now scarce because of dry climate and diseases. At one time, it dropped to only a few 80. Although the current number has rebounded, it reached more than 520 in the peak period. At present, it is about 500, and it is still on the verge of extinction.

The eye features of the Lay Island duck are quite obvious.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

The Lay Island duck is slightly smaller than the domestic duck, but has obvious eye features.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

Lay Island Duck foraging in the swamp area in the stream.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)