The black-faced spoonbill is a species of wading bird in the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae, found in eastern Asia. This species has the most restricted distribution of the six spoonbill species, and it is the only one regarded as endangered. Spoonbills are large water birds with dorso-ventrally flattened, spatulate bills. These birds use a tactile method of feeding, wading in the water and sweeping their beaks from side-to-side to detect prey. Confined to the coastal areas of eastern Asia, it seems that it was once common throughout its area of distribution. It currently breeds only on a few small rocky islands off the west coast of North Korea, with four wintering sites at Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, as well as other places where they have been observed in migration. Wintering also occurs in Jeju, South Korea, Kyushu and Okinawa, Japan, and the Red River delta in Vietnam. More recently, sightings of black-faced spoonbill birds were noted in Thailand, the Philippines, and additional sites in China.
Region
East Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds on small rocky islets in the Yellow Sea, primarily off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and adjacent northeastern China. Winters along coastal East and Southeast Asia, especially in Taiwan (Tainan), Hong Kong–Shenzhen’s Deep Bay, the Red River Delta of Vietnam, and parts of southern Japan and South Korea. Also recorded in Macau, Hainan, Fujian and Guangdong (China), and occasionally Thailand and the Philippines. Prefers tidal flats, estuaries, shallow lagoons, brackish wetlands, and coastal fishponds with extensive mudflats. Nests in loose colonies on sparsely vegetated islets, often with other waterbirds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Black-faced Spoonbill is the only spoonbill species classified as globally Endangered and has one of the most restricted breeding ranges among waders. It feeds by sweeping its spatulate bill side-to-side to detect prey by touch. After plummeting to a few hundred birds in the late 20th century, concerted conservation efforts have raised the population to several thousand, though habitat loss and disturbance still pose major threats.
Wintering in Aogu Wetland, Taiwan
![Protected breeding site and Ganghwa Island tidal flat, South Korea[11]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/%EC%A0%80%EC%96%B4%EC%83%88%EB%B2%88%EC%8B%9D%EC%A7%803.jpg/960px-%EC%A0%80%EC%96%B4%EC%83%88%EB%B2%88%EC%8B%9D%EC%A7%803.jpg)
Protected breeding site and Ganghwa Island tidal flat, South Korea[11]
Temperament
social and gregarious
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats; glides between feeding and roost sites
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially on small offshore islets, often in loose association with herons and cormorants. Pairs are monogamous within a season and defend small territories around the nest. Outside breeding, birds gather in flocks and roost communally at high tide on sandbars or mangroves.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; communicates with soft grunts, nasal croaks, and chattering calls at colonies and roosts. Alarm calls are harsher and more guttural when disturbed.
