Discovery of 14 Individuals
On May 16th, a research team from the Department of Science and Technology of Thua Thien Hue Province reported the discovery of 14 individuals of the rare Night Heron bird species in the Ô Lâu estuary area of the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon. This marks the first recorded sighting of this species in Central Vietnam. Previously, the Night Heron was only known to occupy rare settlements in the Southern region and occasionally roam in the Northeast.
Ecological Significance
The Night Heron belongs to the family Threskiornithidae, commonly known as ibises, under the order Pelecaniformes. This family comprises numerous rare bird species listed in the Red Lists of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Red Book of Vietnam, including the Black-faced Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Giant Ibis, and Davison's Ibis.
The Night Heron's population is considered to be declining, with significant populations remaining only in certain areas of the Mekong Delta, such as Tram Chim National Park (Dong Thap), Dat Mui Cape (Ca Mau), the bird sanctuaries of Bac Lieu, and the Lang Sen Nature Reserve (Long An).
Conservation Significance
The presence of the Night Heron in Central Vietnam highlights the importance of the Ô Lâu estuary and the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon in Thua Thien Hue Province for the conservation of wild bird species, particularly migratory birds. This discovery emphasizes the need to protect the habitat of these birds to ensure their survival and prevent further population decline.
Summary
For the first time, 14 individuals of the Night Heron have been discovered in Central Vietnam, expanding its known range and adding to the list of rare bird species in the region. The sighting highlights the ecological significance of the Ô Lâu estuary and the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon for bird conservation and emphasizes the need for continued protection of these habitats to support diverse bird populations.