TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Jacana Ecological Education Park, in collaboration with the Tainan City Wild Bird Federation, conducted a one-day survey on Sunday (Dec. 1) to count the number of pheasant-tailed jacanas wintering in Tainan.
Volunteer birdwatchers recorded 3,030 pheasant-tailed jacanas, an increase of 148 compared to last year. This new record marks a remarkable recovery from the fewer than 50 birds observed before conservation efforts began in 1989, per CNA.
Lee Wen-chen (李文珍), director of the Jacana Ecological Education Park, said that since 2015, the park has partnered with the Council of Agriculture’s Endemic Species Research Institute to conduct an annual pheasant-tailed jacana survey on the first Sunday in December. This year, 111 volunteer birdwatchers surveyed 52 designated areas just after sunrise and reported their results at noon.
Lee noted that in addition to counting pheasant-tailed jacanas, volunteers assessed changes in the wetland environment and habitat quality. Conservation efforts for this Class II protected species, which can walk on floating vegetation, began after many jacanas fell ill due to pesticide use in nearby rice paddies.

A shift to eco-friendly farming practices has been crucial to the species’ recovery. However, challenges remain, such as heavy rains and typhoons, which have posed significant threats this year, according to Lee.
The creation of 60 hectares of new water chestnut fields in Tainan's Guantian District has provided additional habitat conducive to breeding. Farmers also observed a higher concentration of jacanas in areas shielded from human activity.
Tsai Wang-chuan (蔡旺詮), chair of the Tainan City Wild Bird Federation, highlighted that this year’s survey coincided with Tainan’s 400th anniversary. He expressed delight at the growing jacana population and noted that other wetland species, such as black-naped orioles, gadwalls, falcated teals, and Baikal teals, are also thriving, underscoring the richness of Tainan’s wetland ecology.