A Eurasian Hoopoe perches gingerly on some barbed wire in Yanbian, Jilin province. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

A Eurasian Hoopoe bird has been spotted in the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Northeast China's Jilin province, adding more color to the vibrant spring season.

The bird has a range that covers much of Europe, southern Asia and parts of Africa and North America. It is a nationally protected species in China. The Eurasian Hoopoe likes to perch on tree trunks in open fields, gardens and countryside. It is a well-known insect-eating bird and plays an important role in protecting forests and farmland.

The IUCN lists the Eurasian Hoopoe as a species of "Least Concern".

Israel made Eurasian Hoopoe its national bird in 2008.