讀後心得

The black-faced spoonbill has recently been spotted at the mouth of the Zhiben River in Taitung. Its unique spoon-shaped bill allows it to forage in the water, earning it the nickname "scoop." Every winter and spring, this rare bird, classified as a first-class protected species, migrates to Qigu in Tainan for the winter. While they were previously occasionally seen in Taitung, their frequency and numbers have increased in recent years. Last year, nine were spotted, and this year a new record of thirteen has been set. Ecologists point out that the foraging behavior of the black-faced spoonbill is both graceful and professional, as it often feeds in shallow waters. For the people of Taitung, this represents a rare ecological wonder.

First-class protected black-faced spoonbills appeared at the mouth of the Zhiben River in Taitung. Due to their unique trumpet-shaped bills used for searching for food in the water, they are colloquially known as "La Fei." Every year during winter and spring, these rare protected birds migrate to Qigu in Tainan for the winter, with numbers reaching up to a thousand, becoming part of the local ecological landscape. In recent years, the frequency and number of black-faced spoonbills visiting Taitung, which were once occasional, have gradually increased; last year, nine were observed at once, and this year a record of 13 was set.

Ecologists describe their foraging posture as quite amusing; as suggested by their nickname "La Fei," they seem to "flap around" in the water. The black-faced spoonbills are common migratory birds in Taiwan, but due to their low population, they are listed as first-class protected wildlife and are considered an endangered species internationally. Each year in October, they migrate from the north to the south, with Qigu being their primary wintering area, while they are relatively rarer in Taitung.

At the end of last year, during a landscape renovation project at Taitung Forest Park, nine black-faced spoonbills were spotted for the first time, setting a historical record for the area and surprising both locals and tourists. Consequently, construction work was temporarily halted, resuming only after the birds left. This spring, a group of about 12 to 13 black-faced spoonbills was discovered at the mouth of the Zhiben River; after a brief period of resting and foraging, they recently flew away, setting yet another new record.

"I have never seen so many before!" said an ecologist, noting that in the past, black-faced spoonbills were only occasionally seen in fish ponds in Taitung. They usually forage in shallow waters with graceful movements. This time, three of them were particularly agile, quickly searching for food in the water with their trumpet-shaped bills, making the "La Fei" nickname quite convincing. These black-faced spoonbills have sensory receptors around their bills that allow them to accurately detect prey in the water. Although they seem to "flap around" casually, their movements are actually very professional and efficient. Their adorable appearance makes observers unable to resist taking a few extra looks.