Gochang County Selects "Greater Painted-snipe" as Bird of the Month

Campaign to Promote Biodiversity Conservation and Raise Ecological Awareness

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province has selected the Greater Painted-snipe, an internationally endangered species, as the "Gochang Tidal Flat Bird of the Month" for July, and is launching a campaign to promote biodiversity conservation and raise ecological awareness.

Promotional poster for Gochang's Bird of the Month, the Greater Painted-snipe. Provided by Gochang County

According to the county on July 2, the Greater Painted-snipe is a representative migratory bird that breeds in the Siberian tundra of Russia and the Mongolian steppe, then migrates to Southeast Asia for the winter. In the Gochang tidal flats, it is mainly observed between April and October, and is especially frequent during the spring and autumn migration seasons.

Although its name may evoke the image of a bird with large eyes, the "Greater Painted-snipe" actually gets its name from the prominent black markings around its eyes, which resemble a crown. In addition, the color of its feathers changes with the seasons, making it particularly enjoyable to observe.

In the county, flocks of hundreds of Greater Painted-snipes can often be seen flying around the Ramsar Gochang Tidal Flat Center and the estuary area of the Galgokcheon Stream. Other similar species, such as the Little Ringed Plover and the Greater Painted-snipe, also inhabit the area, so careful observation is required.

Due to its sensitive ecological characteristics, the Greater Painted-snipe is highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance, and is classified as Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). During the breeding and migration seasons, artificial interference can cause the birds to alter their migration routes or abandon collective migration altogether, making ongoing protection and attention essential.

Choi Soonpil, head of the World Heritage Division, stated, "The Gochang tidal flats are a globally important stopover site for migratory birds and possess high ecological value. We will continue to make efforts to protect the Greater Painted-snipe and various other migratory birds so that they can inhabit the area safely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.