[Photo by Ren Xinghe]

The rare and majestic verditer flycatcher has recently been spotted in a mountain forest of Miyun District, marking the first recorded sighting of the species in the district.

The species is nicknamed the "Blue Elf" and the "Sapphire of the Forest". Each bird is small and nimble, measuring just 13 to 16 centimeters in length. The adult males look playful and lively, each with bright turquoise-blue plumage and a subtle metallic sheen, accented by the black feathers around the eyes. Females have more subdued, elegant plumage in blended shades of blue and green, making them also highly distinctive.

(Source: Miyun District Forestry and Parks Bureau)