According to the Quang Ngai Forest Protection Board, local residents reported the appearance of migratory birds at the lagoon in Dinh Cuong Commune on May 8. However, by the time rangers arrived, the flock had already left the area.
Based on distant mobile phone images and descriptions provided by residents, officials initially believed the birds could be black-necked cranes, a species listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book.
When the flock reappeared on May 12, forest rangers used drones to capture clearer footage before comparing the images with specialist documents and consulting experts.
The birds were later identified as Asian openbills, a common wildlife species, rather than the rare cranes previously suspected.