Black-faced Spoonbill - Threats & Action

Threats & Action

The Black-faced Spoonbill feeds on fish and shrimps in shallow water, mainly in coastal areas. Yet most of the East Asian coast is threatened by high human populations and associated agricultural and industrial activities, resulting in habitat destruction and pollution. The Tseng Wen Estuary, Taiwan is threatened by a major industrial project, and pressure on the Deep Bay area in Hong Kong continues to grow.



The Black-faced Spoonbill is only found in East Asia and, with an estimated world population of just 3,941 individuals, is classified as a globally ‘endangered' species under the IUCN’s Red List. Each year only 30 or so pairs are known to breed.



With such a small global population, Black-faced Spoonbill is inherently vulnerable to extinction. Its survival is strongly dependant upon the continued preservation and security of their main breeding grounds, availability of unpolluted coastal wetlands abundant with food in their known wintering range, and avoidance of potentially deadly diseases or infections.



On average, 20% of the global Black-faced Spoonbill population in any given year can be found wintering in Hong Kong. The Mai Po gei wai are the core roosting site for Black-faced Spoonbill, and these areas act as a central point for birds to disperse and feed. As such, WWF’s management of Mai Po plays a key role in maintaining a vital habitat for this species.