Wintering Ecology Of Black-faced Spoonbill In Xinhua Bay, Fujian Province

We have carried out a detailed study on the migrating and wintering patterns of Black-faced Spoonbill in Jiangjing Farm in Xinhua Bay from Oct.2007 to Jan.2009.The main results were as follows:1. The species migrated to south from the end of Oct. or early Nov. to early Dec., and left for north from early Mar. to end of Apr.. The duration of spring migration was longer than that of autumn migration, and the amount of birds stoped in spring was larger than that in autumn. The stable wintering period was from mid-Dec. to Feb. in following year. The population sizes in 2007 and 2008 winter were both over 60.2. The Spoobills formed group in aquaculture ponds and acted regularily each day. Among the 7 major behavior types, resting was most frequently recorded (80%), maintenance was around 10%, while other behavior type, such as"foraging", was very low. This indicated that acquaculture ponds would be the important rest site of Spoobills in daytime.3. Habitat sites used by the Black-faced Spoonbill were relatively fixed in migration and wintering period. Among five known habitat sites, site A (25°30'27" N,119°25'13" E) was used most frequently. The weather conditions and interference were major factors which could affect habitat use of Black-faced Spoonbill.4. Feeding habitat of Black-faced Spoonbill were intertidal flats. Usually they foraged in shallow water and caught fish. Fish was their main food. Survey of fish species in Xinhua Bay was carried out, and 42 species belonging to 7 orders 28 families were recorded.5. Total of 25 species of waterbirds belonging to 6 orders 8 families were recorded, which inhabited together with Black-faced Spoonbill in aquaculture ponds in winter. Observion showed that interspecific competition between Black-faced Spoonbill and other species was not fierce, and insteadly they formed some relationship of common defence. Study on waterbirds communities indicated that tidal model and water depth of aquaculture ponds would be the most important factors which influenced habitat use of waterbirds.