Taiwan's Black-faced Spoonbill Population Reaches 4,719 in 2026, 61% of Global Total, Setting New Record
The 2026 global synchronized survey of Black-faced Spoonbills revealed that Taiwan's population reached 4,719, accounting for 61% of the global total of 7,746, marking a new historical high. This confirms Taiwan's crucial role as the most important wintering ground for the species. Tainan remains the largest habitat with 2,034 birds, while Chiayi saw a significant increase to 1,515. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is promoting the "Endangered Species and Important Habitat Ecological Service Payment Promotion Program" to enhance wintering habitat quality by encouraging fishermen to maintain appropriate water levels in fish ponds.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 22:41
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The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FNCA) issued a press release stating that the results of the "2026 Global Synchronized Survey of Black-faced Spoonbills" were recently announced. The global total of Black-faced Spoonbills reached 7,746, an 11.1% increase from last year. Taiwan recorded 4,719 birds, accounting for approximately 61% of the global total, not only setting a new historical high but also demonstrating that Taiwan continues to be the most important wintering habitat for Black-faced Spoonbills.
The FNCA stated that the global synchronized survey of Black-faced Spoonbills was initiated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, connecting various countries along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) to collectively participate. Through standardized synchronized surveys, the population trend of Black-faced Spoonbills is monitored. In Taiwan, the FNCA subsidizes the Chinese Wild Bird Federation to coordinate the effort, collaborating with local bird societies and conservation groups.
The FNCA said that this year's survey results show that Taiwan recorded 4,719 Black-faced Spoonbills, an increase of 550 birds (13.2%) from last year, making it the most significant growth among all wintering grounds globally.
Other regions recorded this year include: China with 1,849 birds, Japan with 757 birds, Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Deep Bay) with 291 birds, Vietnam with 72 birds, South Korea with 39 birds, Macau with 12 birds, and the Philippines with 7 birds.
The FNCA stated that based on distribution observations, Black-faced Spoonbills coming to Taiwan still primarily winter along the southwestern coast, with multiple areas setting new historical records, showing a clear trend of population dispersal. Tainan recorded 2,034 birds, remaining the largest population habitat in Taiwan; Chiayi saw a significant increase to 1,515 birds, making it the most notable growth area this year.
Additionally, the Zhuoshui River estuary (border of Changhua and Yunlin) recorded 465 birds, and the Yilan area recorded 53 birds, both setting new historical highs. The FNCA said that this year, Black-faced Spoonbills were sighted in 15 counties and cities across Taiwan, indicating that their wintering distribution has extended northward from traditional core areas and expanded outwards, with habitat utilization becoming more diversified.
To strengthen the quality of wintering habitats, the FNCA has been promoting the "Endangered Species and Important Habitat Ecological Service Payment Promotion Program" since 2021, including "land-based fish ponds" as a payment item. Through an "ecological salary" mechanism, fishermen are encouraged to maintain appropriate water levels (below 20 cm) for at least one month after harvest (from October to April of the following year). A maximum of NT$10,000 per hectare per year is issued, allowing fish ponds to be transformed into safe foraging habitats for migratory birds during their transit period.
The FNCA statistics show that in 2024, the area of friendly fish ponds in Tainan City reached 181 hectares; in 2025, in addition to continued promotion in Tainan, the program was expanded to Yunlin County for the first time, attracting 74 fishermen and approximately 105 hectares to participate.
The FNCA said that the global population of Black-faced Spoonbills has continued to rebound in recent years, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adjusted its threat level from "Endangered (EN)" to "Vulnerable (VU)" in 2025. As the population grows and habitats expand, new challenges such as changes in habitat quality and disease risks (e.g., botulism poisoning) also emerge.
The FNCA said it is currently studying adding a "large-scale fish and shellfish mortality reporting" item to the ecological service payment mechanism, hoping to reduce the risk of disease spread through timely reporting and emergency response, thereby protecting the stable growth of the Black-faced Spoonbill population. (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150410
The FNCA stated that the global synchronized survey of Black-faced Spoonbills was initiated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, connecting various countries along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) to collectively participate. Through standardized synchronized surveys, the population trend of Black-faced Spoonbills is monitored. In Taiwan, the FNCA subsidizes the Chinese Wild Bird Federation to coordinate the effort, collaborating with local bird societies and conservation groups.
The FNCA said that this year's survey results show that Taiwan recorded 4,719 Black-faced Spoonbills, an increase of 550 birds (13.2%) from last year, making it the most significant growth among all wintering grounds globally.
Other regions recorded this year include: China with 1,849 birds, Japan with 757 birds, Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Deep Bay) with 291 birds, Vietnam with 72 birds, South Korea with 39 birds, Macau with 12 birds, and the Philippines with 7 birds.
The FNCA stated that based on distribution observations, Black-faced Spoonbills coming to Taiwan still primarily winter along the southwestern coast, with multiple areas setting new historical records, showing a clear trend of population dispersal. Tainan recorded 2,034 birds, remaining the largest population habitat in Taiwan; Chiayi saw a significant increase to 1,515 birds, making it the most notable growth area this year.
Additionally, the Zhuoshui River estuary (border of Changhua and Yunlin) recorded 465 birds, and the Yilan area recorded 53 birds, both setting new historical highs. The FNCA said that this year, Black-faced Spoonbills were sighted in 15 counties and cities across Taiwan, indicating that their wintering distribution has extended northward from traditional core areas and expanded outwards, with habitat utilization becoming more diversified.
To strengthen the quality of wintering habitats, the FNCA has been promoting the "Endangered Species and Important Habitat Ecological Service Payment Promotion Program" since 2021, including "land-based fish ponds" as a payment item. Through an "ecological salary" mechanism, fishermen are encouraged to maintain appropriate water levels (below 20 cm) for at least one month after harvest (from October to April of the following year). A maximum of NT$10,000 per hectare per year is issued, allowing fish ponds to be transformed into safe foraging habitats for migratory birds during their transit period.
The FNCA statistics show that in 2024, the area of friendly fish ponds in Tainan City reached 181 hectares; in 2025, in addition to continued promotion in Tainan, the program was expanded to Yunlin County for the first time, attracting 74 fishermen and approximately 105 hectares to participate.
The FNCA said that the global population of Black-faced Spoonbills has continued to rebound in recent years, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adjusted its threat level from "Endangered (EN)" to "Vulnerable (VU)" in 2025. As the population grows and habitats expand, new challenges such as changes in habitat quality and disease risks (e.g., botulism poisoning) also emerge.
The FNCA said it is currently studying adding a "large-scale fish and shellfish mortality reporting" item to the ecological service payment mechanism, hoping to reduce the risk of disease spread through timely reporting and emergency response, thereby protecting the stable growth of the Black-faced Spoonbill population. (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150410
FAQ
What is the global total population of Black-faced Spoonbills in 2026?
It is 7,746 birds.
What percentage of the global Black-faced Spoonbill population does Taiwan account for?
Taiwan accounts for approximately 61% of the global total.