Bird-watching business

Mangba remained largely unnoticed by Chinese bird-watchers until 2008, when two students from Southwest Forestry University in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, visited the area for a bird survey. During their stay, they lodged at the home of Wang, a reserve patrolman then. The students were captivated by the Derbyan parakeets and the rich diversity of bird species around the village, prompting them to base their degree dissertations on their observations in Mangba, according to Wang.

One of the students, who was an avid bird-watcher, meticulously recorded his observations in Mangba. These records began to draw the attention of fellow bird-watchers to this previously unknown village.

In 2012, Wang established Mangba's first bird hide — a camouflaged shelter designed to observe birds up close without disturbing them — in a patch of forest near the village. Every day, he visited the hide, leaving food and water to attract wild birds. Gradually, various bird species began to frequent the hide, drawing bird-watchers from across the country. Inspired by Wang's success, other families in the area also set up bird hides, turning it into a thriving local business.

Currently, there are 15 bird hides available to bird enthusiasts, with Wang managing five of them. According to him, the prime birding season in Mangba spans from January to June, coinciding with the local dry season. "During the dry season, birds are more inclined to visit our hides for water and bathing," he said. "At any of my hides, one can document around 30 different bird species."

Mangba has recorded over 300 wild bird species, establishing itself as a must-visit destination for birdwatchers and photographers.

Ptarmigan, a bird-watcher from Wuhan, Hubei province, who prefers to use his online user name, shared his experience: "I had been searching for Derbyan parakeets in Xizang, Sichuan and other parts of Yunnan for years without success. So, I decided to visit Mangba, the 'parakeet village'. Within 10 minutes of arriving, I saw dozens of parakeets and could admire them for hours — it was surreal."

To accommodate the influx of bird-watchers and photographers, Wang began constructing a three-story homestay in August of last year, completing it in April. The building can host 23 guests, offering them the unique opportunity to observe Derbyan parakeets at eye level from the rooftop, just 20 meters away.

Wang charges 150 yuan ($21) per person for a day's accommodation, which includes three meals and visits to his bird hides. "Bird photographers typically stay in Mangba for about four days," he said. "In addition to capturing photos of the parakeets at sunrise and sunset, they explore several hides to observe different wild bird species."

Although Wang's family owns about 7 hectares of hilly land near the village, the majority of their income is derived from the birdwatching business. "We earn around 20,000 yuan from farming, but the visits from bird-watchers and photographers bring in about 100,000 yuan," he said.

According to China Green Times, Mangba attracts over 12,000 visitors, generating over 4 million yuan in revenue every year.

"We used to rely on the parakeets as our watches and alarm clocks," Wang said. "Their calls marked the beginning of our workday at dawn and signaled its end when they returned to their nests. I never imagined that one day they would become a vital source of income for us."

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn