Platalea Minor Research Articles

Autumn Migration of Black-faced Spoonbill (<i>Platalea minor</i>) Tracked by Wild-Tracker in East Asia

Autumn Migration of Black-faced Spoonbill (<i>Platalea minor</i>) Tracked by Wild-Tracker in East Asia

Detection of reassortant H5N6 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in a black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) found dead, Taiwan, 2017

A H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was detected in a black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) found dead in Taiwan during December 2017. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses suggest the hemagglutinin gene belongs to H5 clade 2.3.4.4 Group B. All genes except neuraminidase gene shared high levels of nucleotide identity with H5N8 HPAIV identified from Europe during 2016–2017. Genetically similar H5N6 HPAIV was also identified from Japan during November 2017. Enhanced surveillance is required in this region.

The Impact of the ‘Mobile Black-faced Spoonbill Nature School’ on Participants’ Awareness and Attitude of Biodiversity Conservation

The Impact of the ‘Mobile Black-faced Spoonbill Nature School’ on Participants’ Awareness and Attitude of Biodiversity Conservation

Cryptic and cumulative impacts on the wintering habitat of the endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) risk its long-term viability

SUMMARYThe East Asian–Australasian flyway contains some of the most threatened habitats in the world, with at least 155 waterbird species reliant on the tidal habitats it comprises. The black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) is an iconic endangered species distributed across the coast of East Asia. Its population suffered a severe decline into the 1990s, but extensive monitoring and conservation interventions have aided a substantial recovery of the species. We used a population viability analysis based on data collected over the past two decades in conjunction with species distribution models to project spatially explicit models of population change for the next 35 years. Over nearly all scenarios of habitat loss and climate change, the global spoonbill population was projected to increase in the short-term due to low population numbers likely well below current population carrying capacities. However, climate change and habitat loss together threaten the recovery of the spoonbill population such that, by 2050, population declines are apparent as a consequence of these cumulative impacts. These threats are also cryptic and represent a challenge to the conservation of species recovering from anthropogenic impacts; observed population increases can hide large reductions in habitat suitability that threaten the long-term viability of species.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) among its breeding sites in South Korea: Implication for conservation

The endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor has experienced drastic reductions in population size, geographic distribution, and habitat availability throughout East Asia. In the present study, we examined population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Black-faced Spoonbills inhabiting five sites off the west coast of South Korea encompassing a few of its major breeding sites. Ten microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial sequence were used to assess patterns of genetic variation based on 63 individuals. Three ND2 haplotypes were found among 61 individuals; the remaining two were identified as Eurasian Spoonbills, revealing an unexpected hybridization between these two species having different ecological niches in South Korea—the Eurasian Spoonbill overwinters in inland areas, whereas the Black-faced Spoonbill inhabits coastal areas during the summer. Analyses of microsatellite variation revealed no discrete population structure among the five breeding sites but very weak genetic differentiation among geographically distant regions. Assignment tests identified several possible migrants among sites. Our findings suggested that Black-faced Spoonbills from the five breeding sites could be managed as a single population and highlighted the importance of conserving the populations from Maedo, Suhaam, and Namdong reservoir, which are geographically close and have retained high levels of genetic diversity and large populations.

Population trends of the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor: analysis of data from international synchronised censuses

SummaryLong-term population monitoring is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Systematic surveys of the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor, the rarest spoonbill species globally, are not possible during the breeding season as the largest breeding grounds are inaccessible to surveyors. Instead, we have examined population trend in this species during the winter by utilising a dataset of synchronised surveys conducted annually across 42 sites between 1997 and 2014. We found that the global population has increased from 535 individuals in 1997 to 2,726 in 2014, an annual increase of 8.0%. Population increases were more pronounced in protected sites and sites with low levels of human disturbance, indicating that control of human disturbance is crucial for conservation in this species. It is of concern that the wintering populations are highly clumped and the two largest populations have ceased to increase since 2012; research to investigate the underlying causes is urgently needed. Synchronised surveys in all known wintering sites should be continued to provide up-to-date data on the global population of this endangered species.

Hybridization between the Black-Faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) in South Korea

Hybridization within the genus Platalea has only been reported in captivity. A case of natural hybridization between two female Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor) and a male Eurasian Spoonbill (P. leucorodia) was studied on a small breeding islet in Incheon, South Korea. The male Eurasian Spoonbill formed a pair with each Black-faced Spoonbill female during the 2012–2013 and 2014–2015 breeding seasons, respectively, and laid 11 eggs in total, producing nine successful hybrid offspring. Two fledglings were color-banded in 2013, and one of them returned to its natal site in 2015 and 2016. The hybrids had intermediate morphology between Black-faced and Eurasian spoonbills: larger body size and longer bill and legs than those of Black-faced Spoonbills, narrow band of black bare skin on the lore to the eyes, a small yellow naked chin and no bared throat.

CASE REPORT: SUSPECTED BOTULISM IN A BLACK-FACED SPOONBILL (PLATALEA MINOR)

Numerous cases of black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) showing signs of limberneck and flaccid paralysis of the legs and wings were suspected to be suffering from botulism by veterinarians in Tainan County, Taiwan from February to March in 2015. Most of the sick birds completely recovered and were successfully released following treatment with antiserum to botulinum toxin type C. However, 10 remaining spoonbills still suffered from curled claws and stood on the tarsometatarsal joints. They were transferred to the Endemic Species Research Institute for further treatment. One of the birds showed elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and uric acid, along with swollen kidneys observed in radiographs. The bird eventually died, allowing for further examination. At necropsy, fungal plaques and caseous nodules were also present in the lungs, pleura and adjacent air sacs. Microscopically, Aspergillus spp. were evident in the plaques and caseous nodules. In addition, mural endocarditis in the aortic intima associated with the aspergillosis was also present. Thus, the final diagnosis was suspected botulism with respiratory and systemic aspergillosis.

Distribution, breeding status, and conservation of the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) in South Korea

This study was conducted to determine the distribution and breeding status of the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) for conservation and management purposes in South Korea. Breeding and stopover sites of the black-faced spoonbill were mainly in uninhibited islets off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula; wintering sites were observed on Jeju Island. Between April and July 2013, we observed 638 black-faced spoonbill nests along the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Most of the nests were observed in the Gyeonggi Bay area, on Kujido Islet, Bido Islet, Namdong retaining basin, Youdo Islet, Suhaam Islet, Seomando Islet, and Maedo Islet, which were major breeding sites for these birds. It is essential to understand the distribution, breeding status, ecology, and habitat patterns of the black-faced spoonbill, based on existing data, for the conservation and management of this species. Long-term ecological research on the population dynamics of the black-faced spoonbill is needed to implement a successful conservation strategy.

Breeding status and nest site characteristics of Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor on Chilsando Islands, Korea1a

Breeding status and nest site characteristics of Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor on Chilsando Islands, Korea1a

Supporting the annual international black-faced spoonbill census with a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle

The black-faced spoonbill (BFS) is a globally endangered species. The annual international BFS census (IBFSC) thus serves as an important initiative to manage and protect the population of this bird. This work attempts to investigate the feasibility of supporting the annual IBFSC with a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle system (UAVS). A total of six missions were completed to investigate various locations and areas from November 2012 to April 2013, when BFS transited at Taijiang National Park. The flight plan for each mission was made through the automatic mission planning system. All photographs taken in one mission were stitched to a seamless and color-balanced mosaic that can be geo-referenced and displayed on a Web-based platform, such as Google Earth. A close-up photograph of a few BFSs was acquired at a low altitude of 50m to validate the proposed approach of image processing, including unsupervised classification, hit or miss transform and binary large object analysis. The results show that the selection of one statistical attribute (maximum value in red channel) and two geometrical attributes (size and circularity) is appropriate for identifying BFS without ambiguity. The success of this work encourages us to conduct a large-scale deployment of UAVS in the coming IBFSC.

Jensen's Inequality and the Impact of Short-Term Environmental Variability on Long-Term Population Growth Rates.

It is well established in theory that short-term environmental fluctuations could affect the long-term growth rates of wildlife populations, but this theory has rarely been tested and there remains little empirical evidence that the effect is actually important in practice. Here we develop models to quantify the effects of daily, seasonal, and yearly temperature fluctuations on the average population growth rates, and we apply them to long-term data on the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor); an endothermic species whose population growth rates follow a concave relationship with temperature. We demonstrate for the first time that the current levels of temperature variability, particularly seasonal variability, are already large enough to substantially reduce long-term population growth rates. As the climate changes, our results highlight the importance of considering the ecological effects of climate variability and not just average conditions.

A framework on habitat connectivity among Taiwan's wetlands for overwintering Black-faced Spoonbill

More than half of all Black-faced Spoonbills, a threatened species, overwinter throughout the coastal areas of Taiwan. We used a geographic information system to develop a methodology of quantifying landscape connectivity to examine the quality and linkage of potential spoonbill habitat in Taiwan. We used number of overwintering years, maximum number of spoonbills, habitable area, and a landscape development intensity index to calculate the habitat value and connectivity of 23 selected wetlands during two different periods and to determine the least-cost path of the spoonbill for moving among habitats. During the first period (1984–2003), habitat and connectivity values were greatest in the Zengwun Estuary, confirming that it was the most suitable habitat. In the second period (2011–2014), the highest habitat value also occurred in the Zengwun Estuary, but the highest connectivity value shifted to the Sihcao wetland. The habitat and connectivity values in the second period were generally higher than those in the first period. However, in the Zengwun Estuary and Sihcao wetlands, the maximum number of spoonbills decreased as the population spread to surrounding wetlands, suggesting that habitat conditions declined in the two wetlands due to an increase in anthropogenic disturbance. The habitable wetlands with adequate connectivity were divided into three geographic groups: southwestern, northeastern, and northwestern. The habitat link of the southwestern group increased after spoonbills had been observed in several new wetlands. However, the links within the northeastern and northwestern groups decreased, as spoonbills were no longer observed in several wetlands in each group. Our results suggest that the conservation of wetlands in gap areas would improve their habitat condition and connectivity. This framework can be applied to other species and serves as a baseline for habitat linkage, corridor planning, and refuge design.

Identification of coastal wetlands of international importance for waterbirds: a review of China Coastal Waterbird Surveys 2005–2013

China’s coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands. The China Coastal Waterbird Census was organized by volunteer birdwatchers in China’s coastal region. Waterbirds were surveyed synchronously once every month at 14 sites, as well as irregularly at a further 18 sites, between September 2005 and December 2013. A total of 75 species of waterbirds met the 1 % population level Ramsar listing criterion at least once at one site. The number of birds of the following species accounted for over 20 % of the total flyway populations at a single site: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), Siberia Crane (Grus leucogeranus), Far Eastern Oystercatcher (Haematopus osculans), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Spotted Greenshank (Tringa guttifer), Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmeus), Saunders’s Gull (Larus saundersi), Relict Gull (Larus relictus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). A total of 26 sites supported at least one species of which their number met the 1 % criterion. Forty-two species met the 1 % criterion in the Yellow River Delta, Shandong; 29 at the Cangzhou coast, Hebei and 26 species at the Lianyungang coast, Jiangsu. The results highlight the international importance of China’s coastal wetlands for waterbirds. This study also demonstrates that participation of local birdwatchers in waterbird surveys results in data that are invaluable not only for understanding the current status of waterbirds in China’s coastal regions but also for waterbird conservation and management.

Spatiotemporal Utilization of Feeding Sites by the Black-faced SpoonbillPlatalea minorin the Yatsushiro Sea, Japan

Abstract We investigated the feeding ecology of the Black-faced Spoonbill in the Yatsushiro Sea, Japan. These birds typically arrive for the winter in late October and remain until early April; however, seven young birds spent the summer of 2009 in the Yatsushiro Sea, Kyushu. As with other spoonbill species, Black-faced Spoonbills perform tactile feeding by immersing their bills in water and sweeping them from side to side. Fish, shrimps and crabs were all recognized as prey, but most prey items were too small to be identified. Tidal flat pools and streams near their loafing sites were important foraging areas. Birds used many different feeding sites during winter, but most foraged in only one river during summer. The birds ate many small prey items in marine areas whereas they ate fewer, larger prey in riverine areas. The low catch rate in riverine areas may be the result of the long handling time required for large prey. Birds may make most effective use of shallow water areas by shifting feeding sites ...

Three echinostome species from wild birds in the Republic of Korea.

Three echinostome species, i.e., Patagifer bilobus, Petasiger neocomense, and Saakotrema metatestis, are newly recorded in the trematode fauna of the Republic of Korea. They were recovered from 3 species of migratory birds (Platalea minor, Podiceps cristatus, and Egretta garzetta), which were donated by the Wildlife Center of Chungbuk (WCC) and the Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife (CGRB). Only 1 P. bilobus specimen was recovered from the intestine of a black-faced spoonbill (P. minor), and characterized by the bilobed head crown with a deep dorsal incision and 54 collar spines. Twenty P. neocomense were recovered from the intestine of a great crested grebe (P. cristatus), and they had a well-developed head crown with 19 spines and 2 testes obliquely located at the posterior middle of the body. Total 70 S. metatestis were collected from the bursa of Fabricius of 1 little egret (E. garzetta). It is characterized by stout tegumental spines covered in the entire leaf-shaped body, posterior extension of the uterus, presence of the uroproct and a well-developed head crown with 12 pairs of collar spines on each side. By the present study, these 3 echinostome species are newly added to the trematode fauna in Korea.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Ecological Variation Affect an Endangered Migratory Bird Black-faced Spoonbill (<i>Platalea minor</i>) in Southwestern Coast of Taiwan

Zengwun estuary in Taiwan is a key habitat for the endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), a piscivorous migratory bird. In the winters 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, the percentages were nearly half of that in 2007-2008 (65.5% and 51.1%). To find the reasons of the decline of the habitats is important for the preservation of the endangered bird. So, we used an unsupervised classification method to analyze high spatiotemporal satellite images from FORMOSAT-2 from 2004 to 2013, and found that the quality of spoonbill habitats has deteriorated. The deterioration mainly caused by many of the fishponds there, changing the raised fish from milkfish to grouper fish for the purpose of business benefit in recent 3 years. The water depth in the fishponds, which raised milkfish, used to be kept below 30 cm for the convenience in harvesting in winter. Besides, they left the uneconomical small fish behind in the ponds, which provided the black-faced spoonbills good places to forage. However, after the fishponds were changed to raise grouper fish, it not only made the small fish no more exist in the ponds, but also the developing engineering to deepen the fishponds made the trees around these ponds been cleaned. These trees could have provided shields for the black-faced spoonbills against chilly wind. As a consequence, these changes have substantially reduced the agreeable region where the depth of water should be less than 30cm for black-faced spoonbill to forage and inhabit. New reserves for spoonbills have been established recently in Taiwan. Nevertheless, a detailed plan for maintaining food resources for spoonbills as well as returning them habitats, must be implemented immediately.

Behavioural responses of wintering black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) to disturbance

Context Behavioural responses can be used to understand the impacts of disturbance on animals and to develop management strategies, and there is considerable conservation interest in quantifying the effects of disturbances on wild animals. Aims We seek to formulate a management plan for the endangered black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) in a non-breeding ground, on the basis of their behavioural responses to different types of stimulus categorised by threat level (threatening vs non-threatening) and human involvement (anthropogenic vs natural). Methods We documented 16 stimuli from 379 disturbance events through continuous observation on 31 daily selected focal individuals, and estimated flight distances caused by human approach under different conditions at a non-breeding site in Korea. Key results The spoonbills showed the strongest behavioural response to the non-threatening anthropogenic stimuli, and human approach followed by motor vehicles caused longer responses per event than did any other type of disturbing stimulus. Flight distance caused by human approach varied depending on conditions; inactive spoonbills in mixed-species associations started to flee at the greatest distance (197.4 m, with a 50% probability), whereas the spoonbills in a single conspecific flock were the most tolerant of human approaches, regardless of their activeness (61.0–61.7 m, with a 50% probability). Conclusions Human approach had been identified as the most important disturbing stimulus that should be controlled as a priority. We also suggest that black-faced spoonbills benefit from the presence of other waterbirds and exploit them as an early warning system. Implications The tolerance of sympatric species as well as the behavioural response of target species should be considered when a buffer area for wildlife management, particularly against human disturbance, is planned. How the site has been used and what the species composition is are still important components for the design of safe refuges and roosts.

New perspectives on habitat selection by the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor based upon satellite telemetry

SummaryIn 2011 the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor census recorded a 22% drop in numbers from 2010, particularly at the known large coastal wintering sites. During this period, we discovered two new inland wintering sites for the species using satellite telemetry data, one located in China, where the individual followed the Yangtze river as far as Wuhan (500 km inland), and the other across the Vietnam-Cambodia border (70–200 km inland). Long periods of concentrated use of various freshwater habitats were in evidence for these two tagged individuals (China: 79 days, Vietnam/Cambodia: 91 Days) and in the latter case visual confirmation indicated a larger group of at least five individuals. The importance and potential of inland freshwater environments is highlighted towards the further conservation of the recovering population.

Impacts of marine debris on wild animals in the coastal area of Korea

Over the last decade, marine debris has become a major factor affecting the coastal ecosystem of Korea. This study compiled information regarding how marine debris impacts wildlife in Korea. Cases of marine debris impacting wildlife were collected from experts of various fields and from local participants through an open access website from February 2010 to March 2012. A total of 21 species were affected by marine debris: 18 species of birds, 2 species of mammals, and 1 species of crustacean. Five threatened or protected species were identified: black-faced spoonbill, finless porpoise, water deer, whooper swan, and greater painted snipe. Recreational fishing gears were the types of debris that most frequently impacted wildlife, especially birds. Black tailed gulls were the most vulnerable species to recreational fishing hooks and lines. Although it was preliminary, this study revealed that recreational fishing activities should be prioritized when managing marine debris in Korea.