Taiwan remains largest wintering site for black-faced spoonbills: Census

Taipei, April 11 (CNA) Taiwan continues to serve as the most important wintering ground for black-faced spoonbill, with the global population of the endangered bird species reaching a record high of 7,081 this year, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said Friday.

According to the agency, Taiwan recorded 4,169 black-faced spoonbills during the annual international synchronized bird census, conducted Jan. 18-19 and coordinated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.

Although the number increased only by 34 from last year, the population in Taiwan has remained stable for the past three years, the agency pointed out.

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

Sightings in areas such as Changhua and Penghu have also grown more consistent, indicating a slow but steady expansion of wintering sites in Taiwan, the agency noted.

Conservation officials attributed the stable population and site expansion to a mix of natural habitat adaptation and human-led conservation efforts.

Among these is the "eco-pay" scheme launched in 2021, which compensates fish farm owners for maintaining shallow water levels during the off-season to provide feeding grounds for the birds.

In 2024, over 180 hectares of fishponds in Tainan alone participated in the program, the agency said.

In addition to Taiwan, other key wintering sites include China and Japan, which recorded 1,671 and 716 birds, respectively. However, these numbers remained largely unchanged from the previous year, pointing to a global slowdown in population growth, the agency added.