The world saw a record number of 5,222 black-faced spoonbills in 2021, up 7.4 percent from 2020, or 358 more. The Shenzhen-Hongkong deep bay, the third-largest habitat for the birds, welcomed 336 last year. There are 1,022 black-faced spoonbills scattered in seven coastal provinces in southeastern China, taking up 19.6 percent of its worldwide population. 

The 2022 global census of the black-faced spoonbill began in January. During this year's survey in Hainan, a new high of 145 black-faced spoonbills was recorded. The survey, first held in 1994, has covered more than 120 locations around the world.

The black-faced spoonbill is a first-class protected animal in China.

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