Living monument Black-faced spoonbill in Tok Island
April 6, 2026Tok Island is in the West Sea of Korea.
It is 1 500m in circumference and 86m in height. The southeastern side is a steep cliff at an angle of almost 90 degrees, but the top and the eastern slope are covered with a thin layer of humus, and therefore various plants grow there.
The island is home to the black-faced spoonbill which was designated as a living monument.
In May, when warm spring is in full swing, the birds fly to the island from their wintering ground and build nests with dry grass on wormwood stalks and shrubs to breed.
The black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a summer bird belonging to Threskiornithidae. The body length is about 74cm.
In summer, the yellowish brown ornamental feathers on the back of the head and the pattern at the lower neck are conspicuous, but they disappear in winter.
Black-faced spoonbills breed in flocks and one female lays four to six eggs.
In October, they leave the island for their wintering ground.
THE PYONGYANG TIMES