First On-Site Records of Black-Faced Spoonbill and Eurasian Spoonbill in Central Vietnam
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| Black-faced Spoonbill (left) and Eurasian Spoonbill (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
By Maurizio Saroli
On 11 April 2026, while surveying the wetlands of Hoi An, 20 km south of Danang, I discovered two Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor on a mudflat in an area of rice fields outside the old town. They were very well hidden amongst a flock of c. 100 Little, 20 Medium and 45 Great White Egrets and were only noticed due to careful scanning of the flock with a telescope. Frustratingly I could not stay on site to observe them for very long due to my busy schedule. I decided therefore to follow up the observation ASAP to see if, and how long, these birds remained and whether there were more of them. I arrived again in Hoi An two days later, on 13 April at 5:30 AM and was joined soon after by DBC member Tam Do. Together we located what were presumably the same two birds from Saturday, feeding in the same location. Half an hour later one more flew in from the south, possibly from a nearby roost. A quarter of an hour after that four more spoonbills flew over the site heading north, seemingly intent on migrating. But all of a sudden, they turned around and glided towards us, landing on the same mudflat as the other spoonbills. Two amongst them lacked the black facial skin and were found to be Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia.
This marks the first on-site record of Black-faced Spoonbill and the first record of Eurasian Spoonbill for central Vietnam.
Identification and Plumage
The Black-faced Spoonbill was immediately recognisable. Its diagnostic dark facial mask contrasted sharply with the otherwise immaculate white plumage, and it's spatulate bill was broad and flattened at the tip. At least three birds showed black wing tips whilst stretching and in flight, indicating juveniles of between one and five years.
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| Black-faced Spoonbill (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
The Eurasian Spoonbill, slightly larger and more elegant in bearing, showed a pale yellowish wash across the breast and a clean white body. Both birds were in non-breeding condition, lacking the ornate head plumes and only beginning to show the yellow breast bands that characterise them during the breeding season in northern latitudes. Black tips to outer primaries likewise suggest that both birds were juveniles.
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| Eurasian Spoonbill (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
Distribution and Global Status
Globally, the Black-faced Spoonbill is one of Asia’s most threatened waterbirds and of the six spoonbill species in the world, it is the only one whose conservation status is considered to be threatened. Being confined to East Asia, the species has always had a restricted range, but since the latter half of the 20th century factors such as coastal development, land reclamation, industrial expansion, pollution, tourism, fishing and aquaculture have reduced its habitat dramatically. Fortunately however, the species has been brought back from the brink of extinction. Following a successful global recovery after more than three decades of conservation efforts the species was down-listed in 2025 from Endangered to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It now has a steadily increasing population estimated at around 7,7461 individuals, although threats remain a high concern, particularly in countries where this species is not legally protected i.e. in South East Asia.
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| Hong Kong Bird Watching Society |
90% of the breeding population of Black-faced Spoonbill occur in South Korea, with 5,918 mature and immature individuals recorded in 2026. Smaller colonies breed in North Korea and Liaoning, China. Wintering grounds are scattered across 11 regions of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including Hong Kong, China, Macao, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Taiwan is the main winter stronghold (4,719 individuals), followed by southern China (1,834 individuals), Japan (593 individuals). Records in Vietnam are scarce, with only 112 individuals in 2025, mostly confined to Nghia Hung, Tien Hai, Thai Thuy, Tien Lang, Xuan Thuy and Ha Nam. All these locations are protected conservation areas in the north of the country, but until now none had been confirmed as present on the ground in central Vietnam.
The birds we saw in Hoi An were not ringed and so did not provide any clue as to where they might have originated from. Those that breed in South Korea for example are closely monitored, tagged and/or ringed to allow for tracking and identification of individuals. Thus it is possible that the Hoi An birds are migrating towards breeding grounds located elsewhere. What is also unclear is where these birds spent the winter months. No records in 2025/26 appear in eBird data from south Vietnam or Malaysia, but several records from the gulf of Thailand (1 individual each) between December and March suggest that these birds may have wintered there.
The Eurasian Spoonbill is far more widespread. It breeds across Europe and Central Asia, extending eastwards into India and occasionally reaching Southeast Asia in winter. Yet despite its broader distribution, it remains even more scarce than Black-faced Spoonbill in Vietnam, and is considered a vagrant rather than a rare winter visitor, with all records confined to the northern deltas. The simultaneous appearance of both species in Danang is therefore remarkable, suggesting that the city’s wetlands may serve as an overlooked stopover site for migratory waterbirds.
Behaviour and Ecology
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| The site where both Spoonbill species (7 individuals) were found. (Photo credit: MS) |
During observation, the two spoonbill species fed side by side in shallow brackish pools. Their foraging technique differing markedly from the egrets and herons which abound here. With bills submerged, sweeping side-to-side, occasionally they would snap them shut when prey was detected. This tactile method allows spoonbills to capture small fish, crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates.
Spoonbills favour undisturbed wetlands with shallow water and abundant prey. The fact that they settled here, even briefly, highlights the ecological value of Hoi An’s remaining wetland fragments. These areas, though under pressure from urban expansion, reclamation, fishing and trapping, continue to attract rare migrants. This particular site is very small, but it supports birds in great numbers. This temporary habitat is fallow rice fields situated beside a tidal stretch of wide, shallow river, filled with aquatic vegetation and mudfalts. During high tide and heavy rains the fields are inundated, and when it recedes again a great many fish and other prey are left stranded in the ditches, puddles and mud.
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| This small habitat is able to support a large number of birds/species. (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
Conservation Implications
The arrival of spoonbills in central Vietnam carries weighty conservation implications. Spoonbills are sensitive indicators of wetland health. Their presence suggests that, despite mounting threats, these habitats still provide suitable conditions for migratory birds. Yet this is a fragile balance. Wetlands around Danang are shrinking rapidly, converted to housing, industry, aquaculture, tourism and recreational use. Without protection, the ecological corridor that enabled this historic sighting may vanish.
This record strengthens the case for local conservation initiatives. Establishing protected zones, promoting sustainable tourism, and engaging communities in wetland stewardship could ensure that spoonbills—and other rare migrants—continue to find refuge here.
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| Eurasian Spoonbill (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
Significance for Central Vietnam
For central Vietnam, this is a landmark. Bird records in the region have often lagged behind those of the north and south, where larger wetlands and established research centres exist. The spoonbill sightings demonstrate that central Vietnam is equally vital in the migratory network. It adds weight to the argument that ornithological monitoring should be expanded here and that conservation efforts must not overlook these middle latitudes.
For central Vietnam, this is a landmark. Bird records in the region have often lagged behind those of the north and south, where larger wetlands and established research centres exist. The spoonbill sightings demonstrate that central Vietnam is equally vital in the migratory network. It adds weight to the argument that ornithological monitoring should be expanded here and that conservation efforts must not overlook these middle latitudes.
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| Black-faced Spoonbill (centre) and Eurasian Spoonbill (Photo credit: Tam Do) |
Maurizio is the contributing editor of DBC News, part of Danang Bird Club, a non-profit organisation focused on citizen science, education and advocacy for the conservation of Vietnamese avifauna. He is the author of Birdwatching in Central Vietnam; a guide to the region’s rich avian diversity. Originally from London, Maurizio was a member of the British Trust for Ornithology and took part in national bird surveys like the Nest Record Scheme and the Breeding Bird Survey before bringing his passion for ornithology to Vietnam.
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