A batch of black-faced spoonbills, aka “black-faced angel” or “black-faced dancer,” was spotted at the Jianghai Wetland of Hangzhou’s Qiantang district.

The black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a wading bird species in the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae, found in eastern Asia. This species has the most restricted distribution of the six spoonbill species, and it is the only one regarded as endangered.

The black-faced spoonbill population is recorded at around 4,000 birds. They were classified as an endangered species by the IUCN in 2000. Declines in their population are predicted in the future, mainly due to deforestation, pollution, and other man-made industries.

“After migrating to their wintering locations, black-faced spoonbills return north and stay in Hangzhou for no more than half a month,” said Cheng Guolong, vice chairman of Zhejiang Wild Bird Association.

Located by the Jinshahu Lake in Hangzhou’s Qiantang district, the silk-stain-shape Jinshahu Grand Theatre is under construction and expected to be put into use in 2022.