Justification This species has become extinct over most of its former range and is now limited to a single area, where it has an extremely small population. Although its population continues to increase, and there are now perhaps more than 250 mature individuals, its habitat continues to decline in quality , justifying its retention as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Threskiornithidae

Species name author (Temminck, 1835)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 56 cm. Distinctive bushy-crested ibis with red facial skin and legs. Non-breeding adults are white while breeding adults have grey head, neck, mantle and scapulars.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

50-249

increasing

2,800 km²

No

Range & population Nipponia nippon historically nested in the Russian Far East, Japan, and China, and was a non-breeding visitor to North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan (China), but is now extinct in almost all of its former range. The only known remaining population is in Shaanxi province in central mainland China, where it is a localised breeder. In 1981 only seven birds (four adults and three chicks) were known in the wild. By June 2002, the wild population was maintaining a steady increase and numbered 140 birds, and the captive population (in two breeding centres) was over 130 birds. The most recent population estimate is of c. 500 wild individuals in 2006², but it is unclear whether this yet comprises 250 or more mature individuals. Reproductive success is currently quite high⁴, both in the wild and captivity, and there are plans to begin reintroduction of birds to Sado Island, Japan, in 2008³.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It breeds in areas with a combination of tall trees for nesting and roosting and wetlands or agricultural land for feeding. In winter, the main feeding habitats are rice-fields, river banks and reservoirs, mainly close to human settlements, and it appears to tolerate human activities in these areas. Current breeding sites are from 470-1,300 m, but historical information indicates lowlands may be optimal. It feeds on crabs, frogs, small fish (particularly loach), river snails, other molluscs and beetles.

Threats In its remaining range, the area of winter rice-fields has declined with conversion to dry wheat production, reducing the available area of feeding habitat. Most remaining rice-paddies are in mountain areas with poor irrigation facilities. Dissection has shown that 80% of birds found dead in the wild had very little food in their stomachs, and starvation (especially in winter) could be a significant cause of mortality. As the population increases and birds range more widely, controlling the use of agrochemicals at feeding-sites is likely to become more difficult. Birds are occasionally shot by hunters. Genetic diversity is very low, which given the very small founder population, is inevitable⁵.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I. It is legally protected in China. Since the discovery of nesting birds in 1981, emergency regulations have been enacted to prohibit logging, the use of agrochemicals in rice-fields and the use of firearms for hunting. In 1987, 51 nest trees were declared state property and protected. At Yangxian, nest-sites are patrolled and guarded during the breeding season. Some rice-fields are maintained as feeding-sites in winter and loach are introduced to them.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation within the species's range. Support intensive ecological studies of wild birds using radio telemetry. Establish protected areas encompassing wetlands along the Han Shui river, where it has been observed feeding in recent years. Examine the feasibility of reintroduction to some of the former range.

References Birdlife International (2001). 1. Ding Chang-qing in litt. (2005). 2. Unshan (2007). 3. Chikatsuji (2007). 4. Yu et al. (2006). 5. Zhang et al. (2004).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Simba Chan (Wild Bird Society of Japan), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International)

Contributors Simba Chan (Wild Bird Society of Japan), Ding Chang-qing (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Nipponia nippon. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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