Taiwan: The Black-Faced Spoonbill's Winter Oasis – A Conservation Success Story

Record High Global Population of Endangered Birds Highlights Taiwan's Crucial Role and Conservation Efforts.

Taipei, April 11 - Taiwan continues to be a vital wintering ground for the endangered black-faced spoonbill, with the global population reaching a record high of 7,081 this year, according to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency.

The annual international synchronized bird census, conducted January 18-19 and coordinated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, recorded 4,169 black-faced spoonbills in Taiwan.

While the increase from last year was only 34 birds, the population in Taiwan has remained stable for the past three years, a positive indicator of sustained conservation.

Approximately 90 percent of the birds were observed along Taiwan's southwestern coast. The largest concentrations were found in Tainan (2,439), Chiayi County (701), and Kaohsiung (408).

Sightings in regions like Changhua and Penghu have become more consistent, demonstrating a gradual expansion of wintering sites within Taiwan, a testament to effective habitat management.

Conservation officials credit this stable population and site expansion to a combination of natural habitat adaptability and dedicated human-led conservation programs.

A notable example is the "eco-pay" scheme, introduced in 2021. This program incentivizes fish farm owners to maintain shallow water levels during the off-season, providing essential feeding grounds for the spoonbills.

In 2024, more than 180 hectares of fishponds in Tainan alone participated in the "eco-pay" initiative, demonstrating significant community involvement.

Besides Taiwan, key wintering locations include China and Japan, with 1,671 and 716 birds recorded, respectively. These numbers remained largely unchanged from the previous year, suggesting a global slowdown in population growth, highlighting the importance of Taiwan's continued success.