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Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana

IUCN Red List Criteria

Critically Endangered  
Endangered C2a(ii) 
Vulnerable A2c+3c+4c;C2a(i,ii) 

IUCN Red List history

Year Category
2012 Endangered
2008 Endangered
2007 Endangered
2006 Endangered
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1996 Endangered
1994 Endangered
1988 Threatened

Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency Medium
Land mass type continent
 Average mass -

Distribution

  Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence breeding/resident (km2) 475,000 medium
Extent of Occurrence non-breeding (km2) 2,190,000 medium
Number of locations 11-100 -
Fragmentation -

Population & trend

  Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
No. of mature individuals 1000-2499 poor Estimated 2007
Population trend Decreasing medium -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Largest subpopulation 1000-2499 - - -
Generation length (yrs) 16.1 - - -
Population justification: The population was estimated at 3,000 individuals by Xinzhong (1999) and Zhiyong (1999). The 2005 Yangtze waterbird survey recorded 1,194 individuals (M. Barter in litt. 2006). National population estimates include: c.100-10,000 breeding pairs, c.50-1,000 individuals on migration and c.50-1,000 wintering individuals in China; < c.50 individuals on migration and < c.50 wintering individuals in Taiwan; < c.1,000 wintering individuals in Korea and < c.100 breeding pairs and < c.50 individuals on migration in Russia (Brazil 2009). Overall then, the population is likely to number 1,000 to 2,499 mature individuals.
Trend justification: Significant declines in breeding birds have been reported in Russia: its overall population is suspected to be decreasing rapidly, in line with levels of deforestation and the drainage of wetlands for agricultural development.

Country/Territory distribution

Country/Territory Occurrence status Extinct Breeding Non-breeding Passage
Bangladesh Vagrant No   Yes  
China (mainland) Native No      
Hong Kong (China) Native No   Yes  
India Vagrant No   Yes  
Japan Native No   Yes  
Mongolia Vagrant No     Yes
Myanmar Vagrant No   Yes  
North Korea Native No   Yes  
Philippines Vagrant No   Yes  
Russia (Asian) Native No Yes    
South Korea Native No   Yes  
Taiwan (China) Native No   Yes  

Important Bird Areas where this species has triggered the IBA criteria

Country/Territory IBA Name IBA link
China (mainland) Anqing wetlands (Caizi Hu, Wuchang Hu and other lakes) site factsheet
China (mainland) Bacha Dao Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Bayan Obo Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Changbai Shan Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Chen Hu Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Dali Nur Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Dashanzuizi site factsheet
China (mainland) Dazhanhe Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Dongting Hu wetlands site factsheet
China (mainland) Eastern tidal flat of Nanhui site factsheet
China (mainland) Fang Hu Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Fenglin Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Gaoyou Hu site factsheet
China (mainland) Hala Hai site factsheet
China (mainland) Hangzhou Wan site factsheet
China (mainland) Heiyupao Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Heyang Huang He Wetlands Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Holqin Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Hong Hu Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Honghe Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Huanzidong site factsheet
China (mainland) Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Huma He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Jiangkou Niaozhou Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Jingpo Hu Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Jiuduansha Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Kaifeng Liuyuankou Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Keluo He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Lanbowan–Qilihe Wetland site factsheet
China (mainland) Laodengshan Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Laotieshan site factsheet
China (mainland) Longfeng Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Longgan Hu Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Longtan Reservoir site factsheet
China (mainland) Maoshan Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Melmeg (Momege) Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Mengjin Huanghe Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Min Jiang Estuary site factsheet
China (mainland) Nanweng He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Naoli He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Niuxintaobao site factsheet
China (mainland) Nuomin-Bila He-Dayangshu site factsheet
China (mainland) Ordos Taolimiao-Alashanwan Haizi site factsheet
China (mainland) Orqohan site factsheet
China (mainland) Poyang Hu wetlands site factsheet
China (mainland) Qihulin He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Qindeli Sturgeon Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Qixing Lazi Siberian Tiger Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Sanjiang Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Shaobo Hu Lake Area site factsheet
China (mainland) Shengjin Hu Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Shijiu Hu (Anhui) site factsheet
China (mainland) Shijiu Hu (Jiangsu) site factsheet
China (mainland) Shishankou Reservoir site factsheet
China (mainland) Shuangtai (Shuangtaizi) Estuary and Inner Gulf of Liaodong site factsheet
China (mainland) Sihong Wetland of Hongze Hu site factsheet
China (mainland) Tailai Dongfanghong site factsheet
China (mainland) Tian'ezhou site factsheet
China (mainland) Tuanbowa Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Tumuji Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Wafangdian Fuzhou Wan site factsheet
China (mainland) Xianghai Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Xingkai Hu Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Xunbiela He Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Yalu Jiang Estuary site factsheet
China (mainland) Yancheng Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Yubei Huanghe Gudao Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Yueya Hu Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Yuncheng Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Zhalong Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Zhengzhou Huanghe Wetland Nature Reserve site factsheet
China (mainland) Zhuanghe Coast site factsheet
China (mainland) Zoigê (Ruo'ergai) Marshes site factsheet
Hong Kong (China) Inner Deep Bay and Shenzhen River catchment area site factsheet
Mongolia Buir Lake site factsheet
North Korea Chongchon River estuary (including Mundok Nature Reserve) site factsheet
North Korea Daedong Bay site factsheet
North Korea Kangryong field site factsheet
North Korea Lake Manpo and Lake Bonpo site factsheet
North Korea Mount Chilbo site factsheet
North Korea Ongjin Bay site factsheet
Philippines Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Arkhara lowlands (including Khinganskiy Nature Reserve) site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Bolon' lake site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Evoron-Chukchagirskoye depression site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Khanka plain site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Kievka and Chernaya river basins site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Lower Tumen river site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Muraviovskiy Wildlife Refuge site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Sikhote-Alin' Nature Reserve site factsheet
Russia (Asian) Ul'banskiy bay site factsheet
South Korea Cheonsu Bay site factsheet
South Korea Daeseongdong and Panmunjeom marshes site factsheet
South Korea Geumho-ho lake site factsheet
South Korea Gocheonam-ho lake site factsheet
South Korea Nakdong-gang estuary site factsheet
South Korea Upo swamp site factsheet
South Korea Yeongam-ho lake site factsheet

Habitats & altitude

Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Water Storage Areas (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Forest Temperate major breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) major non-breeding
Altitude 0 - 0 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact

Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & Aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops / Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact:
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & Aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops / Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Utility & service lines Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources / Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources / Unintentional effects: (large scale) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources / Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources / Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals / Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Human intrusions & disturbance Work & other activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Causing/Could cause fluct Medium Impact:
Stresses
Species disturbance
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use / Dams (size unknown) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression / Trend Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Pollution Industrial & military effluents / Type Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents / Type Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Decline Medium Impact:
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation

Purpose Primary form used Life stage used Source Scale Level Timing
Food (human) Whole Adults and juveniles Wild Subsistence, National Non-trivial Recent
Pets Whole Adults and juveniles Wild International Non-trivial Recent
Handicrafts, jewellery, decorations, curios Whole Adults and juveniles Wild Subsistence, National Non-trivial Recent

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Ciconia boyciana. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013.

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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.

Key facts
Current IUCN Red List category Endangered
Family Ciconiidae (Storks)
Species name author Swinhoe, 1873
Population size 1000-2499 mature individuals
Population trend Decreasing
Distribution size (breeding/resident) 475,000 km2
Country endemic? No
Links to further information
- Summary information on this species