Two white-tailed eagles in Horqin National Nature Reserve. [Photo by Zhang Jinlin/WeChat account of Hinggan League Forest and Grassland Bureau]

The white-tailed eagle, a nationally protected species known as the "tiger of the birds", has been spotted for the first time in Horqin National Nature Reserve, located in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the white-tailed eagle as an endangered species. It has strict habitat requirements, favoring landscapes where open waters intersect with forests.

As an ecological indicator species, its presence signifies the reserve's well-structured food chain, abundant biodiversity, and steadily recovering ecological balance.

Two white-tailed eagles in Horqin National Nature Reserve. [Photo by Zhang Jinlin/WeChat account of Hinggan League Forest and Grassland Bureau]

In recent years, Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner has implemented major ecological projects, including reforestation, desertification control in the Horqin Sandy Land, and river-lake connectivity initiatives.

As a result, forest coverage has increased from 17.64 percent in 2017 to 18.54 percent, while grassland vegetation cover has risen from 35.17 percent to 76.77 percent. These improvements have created an optimal environment for migratory birds and rare wildlife species.