Gochang County Selects White-tailed Eagle as February's 'Gochang Mudflat Bird of the Month'

Gochang County has selected the White-tailed Eagle (scientific name: Haliaeetus albicilla) as February's 'Gochang Mudflat Bird of the Month' and is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the ecological value of raptors that visit the Gochang mudflats in winter, as well as the importance of preserving the mudflat ecosystem.

Gochang County, February's 'Bird of the Month at Gochang Tidal Flat' Selected as White-tailed Eagle Promotional Poster. Provided by Gochang County

The White-tailed Eagle is a large raptor with a broad wingspan and powerful talons. Along with the Steller's Sea Eagle, it is a top predator representing Korea's marine ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the food chain in mudflat and coastal ecosystems. Internationally, it is classified as Least Concern (LC), but in Korea, it is designated as a Class I endangered wild species and a natural monument, receiving special protection.

The White-tailed Eagle mainly breeds in Northeast Asia and the Russian Far East, then migrates south in winter to spend the season along Korea's west coast. The mudflats, reclaimed lands, and estuarine areas of the west coast serve as key habitats, providing food and rest, and sightings of the White-tailed Eagle are reported every winter.

In the Gochang mudflats, two to three White-tailed Eagles are consistently observed each year, mainly around the rocky islets near the Mudflat Botanical Garden. The Gochang mudflats, which are connected to the mainland, offer abundant food resources and stable resting places, making them an ideal wintering environment for large raptors like the White-tailed Eagle.

Recently, breeding cases of the White-tailed Eagle have also been reported in several regions across Korea. This species is now gaining attention as a symbolic bird that is not just a winter visitor but is also recovering its range within the Korean ecosystem. This is regarded as an indicator that the mudflat ecosystems of the west coast, including the Gochang mudflats, are being stably preserved.

Nah Yunok, Director of the World Heritage Division of Gochang County, stated, "The continued presence of top predators like the White-tailed Eagle in the Gochang mudflats is an important sign of the health of the mudflat ecosystem. We will continue our efforts to conserve the biodiversity of the Gochang mudflats, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and to protect migratory birds in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.