TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has maintained its status as the world's most significant sanctuary for the endangered black-faced spoonbill, with 4,169 of these distinctive wading birds spending their winter months on the island, representing nearly 60 percent of the global population, Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA, 林業及自然保育署) announced Friday (April 11). The recently completed "2025 Global Black-faced Spoonbill Census" (2025年黑面琵鷺全球同步普查) documented a worldwide population of 7,081 birds, establishing a new record high. Conservation experts noted that while Taiwan's spoonbill count increased marginally by 34 individuals from last year, it remained below the 2023 peak of 4,288, suggesting the population has reached a plateau after decades of recovery efforts.
The distribution of these iconic white birds with distinctive black bills reveals a strong preference for Taiwan's southwestern coastal wetlands, with approximately 90 percent concentrated in this region. Tainan City, long celebrated for its conservation efforts, remains the epicenter with 2,439 spoonbills recorded. Neighboring areas also host significant populations, including Chiayi County with 701 birds, Kaohsiung City with 408, and the ecologically rich Zhuoshui River Estuary (濁水溪口) supporting 255. Wildlife officials noted an encouraging trend as spoonbills have established consistent winter presences across 11 Taiwanese counties, including formerly uncommon locations like Changhua County and the Penghu archipelago. Recognizing signs of habitat pressure, conservation authorities launched an innovative ecological payment initiative in 2021, providing financial incentives to fish pond operators who maintain water conditions favorable for the threatened species.
The ecological payment program has shown promising results in Tainan, where bird-friendly aquaculture practices now extend across 181 hectares of fish ponds. Beyond Taiwan's borders, significant wintering populations were documented in mainland China, which hosted 1,671 spoonbills, while Japan recorded 716 birds, and the adjacent regions of Hong Kong and Shenzhen collectively sheltered 328. Ornithologists noted the global population increased by just 93 individuals from the previous year, reinforcing concerns about a plateauing recovery for this once critically endangered species. The comprehensive international census, conducted January 18-19, was coordinated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, with Taiwan's portion of the survey orchestrated by the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation (中華民國野鳥學會) and executed by a dedicated corps of more than 100 volunteer birdwatchers. ★