Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)

Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) - HBW 1, p. 505

French: Petite Spatule German: Schwarzgesichtlöffler Spanish: Espátula Menor
Other common names: Lesser Spoonbill

Taxonomy: Platalea minor Temminck and Schlegel, 1849, Japan.
Considered by some to form superspecies with P. leucorodia, P. alba and P. regia. Monotypic.

Distribution: Formerly more widespread in E Asia, range now much reduced; breeding only known from N Korea, though also suspected in NE China. Winters in N Viet Nam, S China and Taiwan, occasionally in Japan.