Xiamen City, also in Fujian, used to be the northernmost breeding place for the species. Over the past couple of years, however, the bird was spotted on many occasions in Jinjiang. Some 120 birds are believed to have settled there.

"The birds usually fly over in around April to breed and fly back to Malaysia around August," said Wu Dongta, deputy head of the Quanzhou City Birdwatching Association.

Blue-tailed bee-eaters. [Photo/VCG]