Black-faced Spoonbill's numbers on the rise

The global population of Black-faced Spoonbills reached 6,988 this year, an increase of 355 compared to last year, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.4 percent, according to the International Black-faced Spoonbill Census 2024 announced by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society on Friday.

The figure marks the third consecutive year that the population has remained above 6,000. In Hong Kong and Hau Hoi Wan in Shenzhen, the population increased by 25.4 percent to 375 individuals.

Speaking at a press conference today, the society’s director Yu Yat-tung said the numbers reflect a gradual stabilization of the global population, which he described as a "return from the brink of endangerment."

However, he emphasized the need to continue monitoring the bird’s population and strengthen conservation efforts in the future. This includes ensuring that wetlands worldwide are not further reduced, as otherwise, previous conservation efforts may go down the drain.

The 2024 Census was conducted from January 19 to 21 this year, covering 11 regions and countries including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Taiwan, Macau, and Japan.

The census found that Taiwan remains the largest wintering ground for Black-faced Spoonbills globally, with a recorded population of 4,135, representing a 2.2 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Taiwan also accounts for 59.2 percent of the global total. 

Mainland China follows with a recorded population of 1,630 black-faced spoonbills, showing an increase of 24.7 percent compared to last year.

Meanwhile, the bird’s population in Hau Hoi Wan has increased from 299 individuals last year to 375 individuals. However, Yu said its proportion to the global population has reached a historical low, dropping to 5.4 percent. 

The society chief said the limited space at Hau Hoi Wan, coupled with recent development in Shenzhen, has constrained the growth of the birds in that area.

The largest decline in population was observed in Macau, where the number of Black-faced Spoonbills decreased from 21 individuals last year to 13 this year, representing a 38 percent decrease.

The society suspected the decrease could be caused by the Cotai Ecological Zone where the birds stay being surrounded by large hotels, casinos, and infrastructure, causing significant disturbance to their nesting sites.

Yu noted that if the wetlands near the San Tin Technopole are destroyed for development, Hong Kong may follow in Macau's footsteps, becoming a “relic” of Black-faced Spoonbill habitats.