By Fu-Hsiung Hsu, National Chiayi University / Hao-Chieh Hsu, National University of Tainan

Taijiang National Park lies along the southwestern coast of Taiwan, home to vast wetlands that form a vital stopover on the East Asia–Australasia Flyway. Once part of the historic Taijiang Inland Sea, the area has, over centuries of sedimentation and land formation, transformed into a rich mosaic of tidal flats, lagoons, wetlands, salt pans, fishponds, marshes, farmland, and settlements. Today, tens of thousands of migratory birds flock here each autumn and winter, making it a core sanctuary for avian diversity.

 

A National Park of Nature and Culture

 

Taijiang National Park spans approximately 40,731 hectares, including 5,090 hectares of land and 35,641 hectares of marine area. It is home to diverse natural resources and wetland ecosystems, while also preserving the cultural heritage of early settlers and the legacy of the fishing and salt industries, making it a true treasure trove where nature and culture converge. Historically, Taijiang served as a vital hub for navigation and fishing, and during the Age of Exploration it became an important trading gateway as the site of Fort Zeelandia. Since the establishment of Taijiang National Park and the advancement of ecological conservation, this land has gradually transformed into a sanctuary for migratory birds and a vital field for wetland ecological research. Here, the natural environment and cultural landscape are seamlessly intertwined. It is not only a premier site for ecological studies and environmental education, but also a key destination for promoting eco-tourism. A leisurely stroll may reveal crabs darting through mangroves or black-faced spoonbills soaring across the sky. Ancient canals and waterways still stand as silent witnesses to the prosperity of centuries past. The landscapes of Taijiang National Park remind us that culture and nature are inseparable companions, weaving together a unique tapestry of scenery and memory.

 

A Paradise for Migratory Birds: A Key Stop on the East Asia–Australasia Flyway

 

Of the more than 11,000 bird species worldwide, over 2,000 are migratory, traveling seasonally between their breeding and wintering grounds. Based on decades of observation, ornithologists have identified eight major migratory flyways. Among them, the East Asian–Australasian Flyway stretches from the Arctic regions of Russia’s Far East and Alaska, through East and Southeast Asia, and down to Australia and New Zealand. Each year, hundreds of species and tens of millions of migratory birds traverse this route. Situated at a critical hub along this flyway, the wetlands of Taijiang provide vast and diverse habitats that support an abundance of life—from crabs and fish to countless waterbirds. Its estuaries, sandbars, and mangrove forests form ideal stopovers, attracting species such as the endangered black-faced spoonbill. These wetlands serve not only as vital sanctuaries for migratory birds but also as a haven for birdwatchers from around the world, who gather to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of migration and to appreciate the precious value of wetland ecosystems.

 

Avian Diversity and Distribution in Taijiang National Park

 

Taijiang National Park is home not only to vast numbers of migratory waterbirds but also to a wide range of resident species. Its coastal windbreak forests, mixed woodlands, scrub, riverine grasslands, farmland, and wetlands provide essential habitats for foraging and breeding at low elevations in Taiwan. According to surveys and data compiled by the Taijiang National Park Headquarters since 1989, a total of 420 bird species have been recorded within the park—representing more than 60 percent of all known bird species in Taiwan. This remarkable diversity reflects the ecological richness of the area. Among these species are 40 that are endemic or endemic subspecies to Taiwan, such as the Taiwan bamboo partridge and ring-necked pheasant. In addition, 81 species are classified as protected, including the black-faced spoonbill, Chinese crested tern, eastern grass owl, ring-necked pheasant, and oriental pratincole. These magnificent “winged wonders” draw birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike, offering endless opportunities to experience the beauty of Taiwan’s avian biodiversity.

 

The extraordinary avian diversity of Taijiang National Park can be understood both through patterns of migration and habitat use. In terms of migratory attributes, records show 82 resident species, 129 winter visitors, 13 summer visitors, and 108 passage migrants. In addition, 48 vagrants, 18 seabirds, and 22 introduced species have been observed. Together, migratory and passage species form the majority of the park’s birdlife, underscoring its importance as a stopover and refuge along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (Figure 1). When viewed through the lens of habitat preference, Taijiang reveals an equally rich landscape. Wetland environments provide havens for a wide range of waterbirds. Among them are 23 species of large waders, such as the Oriental stork, great egret, striated heron, and the iconic black-faced spoonbill. Smaller shorebirds, numbering 67 species, include plovers, sandpipers, stilts, and rails that thrive in shallow wetlands. Open waters and deeper lagoons, meanwhile, support 84 species of waterfowl, including ducks, grebes, gulls, skuas, and cormorants, which often gather in large flocks during the winter months. Beyond wetlands, many species flourish in Taijiang’s terrestrial landscapes. Mixed woodlands, shelterbelts, and secondary growth are home to 152 forest-dwelling birds—the most numerous groups in the park. These include residents such as the light-vented bulbul, Swinhoe's white-eye, spotted dove, grey treepie, and black-shouldered kite, as well as seasonal visitors like the brown-headed thrush, brown shrike, white-shouldered starling, Arctic warbler, and Daurian redstart. Agricultural lands and grasslands host a further 94 species, with residents like the plain prinia, scaly-breasted munia, long-tailed shrike, black drongo, and Oriental skylark sharing the environment with migratory companions such as the eastern yellow wagtail, black-faced bunting, red-throated pipit, oriental reed warbler, and Siberian rubythroat (Figure 2). Taken together, these communities demonstrate how Taijiang National Park sustains birds across a wide ecological spectrum, from wetlands and waterways to farmlands and forests. The park’s complex mosaic of habitats ensures that both resident and migratory birds find the resources they need to survive and flourish, making it a living sanctuary of avian diversity.

 

Overall, the birdlife of Taijiang National Park is concentrated in several key hotspots, including the Qigu Salt Pan Wetlands, the Shifen Black-faced Spoonbill Reserve, the Qigu East Fishponds, the Zengwen River estuary wetlands and floodplains, the Beishanwei Waterbird Reserve, the Chengxi Wetland Special Scenic Area, the Qigu Lagoon and the belt of coastal thickets lying between Qigu Lagoon and the Shifen Black-faced Spoonbill Reserve. Each of these habitats supports distinctive communities of birds. For instance, the Qigu Salt Pan Wetlands are frequented by large numbers of shorebirds and gulls, while the Shifen Black-faced Spoonbill Reserve is renowned as one of the best places to observe the endangered black-faced spoonbill. The Zengwen River floodplain provides ideal conditions for species such as the ring-necked pheasant, and the Beishanwei and Chengxi wetlands harbor significant flocks of ducks and herons. Meanwhile, the coastal thickets along the southern sandspit of Qigu Lagoon often attract migratory landbirds passing through. Together, these diverse areas not only offer prime birdwatching opportunities but also serve as vital sanctuaries for the park’s aerial wildlife.

 

Avian Conservation and Future Outlook in Taijiang National Park

 

As a national treasure where nature and culture converge, Taijiang National Park embodies the richness of wetland ecosystems and avian diversity, while bearing witness to the transformation of the former Taijiang Inland Sea. Since its establishment in 2009, the Park has been dedicated to biodiversity conservation, the promotion of eco-tourism, and the preservation of cultural diversity. At the heart of its avian conservation efforts lie population monitoring and habitat protection of the Black-faced Spoonbill, which have drawn the attention of conservationists and visitors alike. Looking ahead, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters will continue to strengthen bird surveys and database development, while also collaborating with international conservation organizations to ensure the sustainable future of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Through eco-tourism and educational initiatives, Taijiang aims to deepen public awareness of wetland ecology and bird conservation, ensuring that its abundant wetland resources are preserved for generations to come as a natural haven of life.