Lopatar[lopa'tar]
Platalea Leucorodia

In the end of the 19th century nest colonies could be seen only near the Danube river : near Vidin, Dolni Tzibur, Mihajlovgradsky area and Somovid, lake Sreburna and some islands on the Danube. New into some extend are the nesting colonies near Belene, lake Mandra and Bourgas' lake. In the mating season extremely rare cases of birds seen near Sofia occured. In migrating time it usually inhabits the Black sea coast and the sea-coastal swamps.

Usual habitat of the Platalea Leucordia are fresh-water and semi-salt-water lakes with reed "forests", and tick forests of willows and white poplars.

The species has been preserved since 1962, and a €150 fee for every killed and injured animal was brought out.