In an interview in 1997, Earth Island's founder David R. Brower offered some inspired words of wisdom on rethinking an alternative future for Taiwan and its beautiful environment. Click here..

What is the black-faced spoonbill?
The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a large, egret-like wading bird. It has a long black spatulate bill and black face mask, legs, and feet. During the breeding season, it sports a bright yellow crest and breast patch.

How endangered is it?
Very. According to Birdlife International Indonesia, 2008 census, there are 2,065 Black-faced Spoonbills left in the world.

Where does it breed and migrate?
The black-faced spoonbill lives and migrates in the following countries along the East Asian - Australasian Flyway: North and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, coastal China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and northeastern Russia.

What is happening along its migration route (flyway)?
The Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong and the creation of the National Scenic Area in Taiwan have gone a long way to fend off the loss of habitat, but many of the wintering and breeding sites along the flyway of the bird are not protected. These sites face pressure from urbanization, pollution, coastal erosion, and more.

Of current concern is tidal flat habitat in South Korea which is rapidly disappearing (see the Song Do campaign on our "Campaigns" page). Scientists around the world have concluded that these tidal flats, among the most critical wetlands in the world, exceeding the criteria established by the Ramsar Convention for several species (see Ramsar Campaign). Although our research focuses on the black-faced spoonbill, other scientists note that the Relict Gull and Chinese Egret are in dangerous declines due to previous reclamation here. The Saunders's Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, and Nordmann's Greenshank are among other threatened and/or endangered species dependent upon these tidal flats.

What are some sustainable development alternatives for areas where there are black-faced spoonbills?
SAVE and other defenders of the spoonbill are spearheading an international effort to identify all sites where spoonbills breed and winter, and to propose alternative plans for the areas where there are threats to habitat loss.

Tourism offers great potential for creating new jobs and promoting international understanding in areas of sensitive natural landscapes. In Taiwan entrepreneurs in the Yunchianan National Scenic Area are using their own resources to capitalize on the presence of the black-faced spoonbill and the rich assortment of birds and wildlife in Chiku Lagoon. The ecotourism industry attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Fishermen, conservationists, environmental educators, and tourist operators are beginning to do the same on South Korea's Ganghwa Island. The spoonbill's habitat areas and related natural resources, under threat by poorly planned urbanization, are essential ingredients to a strong tourist economy.

What does SAVE do?
campaign against threats to spoonbill habitat
research habitat requirements for a viable spoonbill population
apply international pressure
promote alternative sustainable development
collaborate with local groups to develop plans for sustainable development where there is spoonbill habitat