The results of the 2026 International Black-faced Spoonbill Census were recently released, showing that the global population of black-faced spoonbills has reached 7,746 individuals, an increase of 11.1% compared to last year. A total of 4,719 black-faced spoonbills were recorded in Taiwan, accounting for about 61% of the global population. This not only sets a new record high but also shows that Taiwan has continued to be the most important wintering habitat for black-faced spoonbills. The International Black-faced Spoonbill Census was initiated by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, which brings together countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) to conduct a standardized synchronized survey to understand the population trends of black-faced spoonbills. In Taiwan, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) subsidizes the Chinese Wild Bird Federation to coordinate the project, which is completed in collaboration with bird societies and conservation groups across various regions. The results of this year’s (2026) survey show that the population of the species in Taiwan has increased by 550 individuals compared to last year, representing a growth rate of 13.2%. This shows a significant rebound after nearly three years of slowing growth, and it is also the most significant growth among all wintering grounds in the world. Other regions where black-faced spoonbills were found include China (1,849), Japan (757), Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Deep Bay) (291), Vietnam (72), South Korea (39), Macau (12), and the Philippines (7). The FANCA stated that, based on domestic distribution observations, the black-faced spoonbill still primarily winters along the southwestern coast, with several regions breaking historical records, and the population distribution showing a clear trend of expansion. A total of 2,034 individuals were recorded in the Tainan area, which remains the largest habitat for the species in Taiwan. The population in the Chiayi area increased significantly to 1,515, making it the region with the most significant increase this year. In addition, 465 birds were recorded at the mouth of the Zhuoshui River (bordering Changhua and Yunlin) and 53 birds were recorded in Yilan, both setting new records. Overall, black-faced spoonbills were recorded in 15 counties and cities across Taiwan this year, indicating that their wintering distribution has expanded northward and outward from the traditional core area, and their habitat utilization is becoming more diversified. To enhance the quality of wintering habitats, the FANCA has been promoting the “Payments for Ecosystem Services for Endangered Species and Critical Habitat Promotion Program” since 2021. The program includes “land-based fish farms” under the payment program. Through the ecosystem service wage mechanism, fishermen are encouraged to maintain a suitable water level (below 20 cm) for at least one month after the harvest (from October to April of the following year). The program provides a maximum of NT$10,000 per hectare per year, enabling fish farms to be transformed into safe foraging habitats for migratory birds during their migration season. In 2024, the area of eco-friendly fish farms in Tainan City reached 181 hectares. In 2025, in addition to the continued promotion in Tainan, the program was expanded to Yunlin County for the first time, attracting 74 fishermen’s participation with approximately 105 hectares of fish farms, demonstrating the concrete results of local cooperation and policy incentives. The FANCA further explained that the global population of black-faced spoonbills has been steadily recovering in recent years, and consequently the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) adjusted its conservation status from “Endangered (EN)” to “Vulnerable (VU)” in 2025. However, with the growth of the population and the expansion of its habitat, new challenges such as changes in habitat quality and disease risks (such as avian botulism) have also emerged. The FANCA is currently considering adding a “mass mortality of fish, shrimp and shellfish” reporting requirement to the payments for ecosystem services mechanism. The risk of disease spread can be reduced through timely reporting and response. While taking into account the livelihoods of fishermen and ecological conservation, the FANCA will continue to optimize the wintering habitat environment and jointly protect the stable growth of the black-faced spoonbill population. The FANCA emphasized that the stable recovery of the black-faced spoonbill population demonstrates the results of long-term transnational cooperation and local conservation action. In the future, it will continue to combine scientific monitoring, habitat creation, and community participation to deepen international cooperation in the conservation of migratory routes and create a safer and more sustainable living environment for migratory birds.
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