Charadriiformes / Laridae / Thalasseus
Chinese Crested Tern
Thalasseus bernsteini · 中华凤头燕鸥
Introduction
A tern in the family Laridae, closely related to the greater crested tern. It is a critically endangered species with a total population speculated to be less than 50 birds. The species was previously thought extinct until rediscovery in 2000.
Description
Medium-large tern, 38–43 cm long. Breeding plumage features a full black crown, pale silvery-grey back and wings, and a white tail. The bill is yellow with a black tip and a white point visible up close; it is stouter than that of similar species. The rump is white, and the mantle is paler grey compared to the lesser crested tern.
Identification
Distinguished from the Sandwich tern by a reversed bill pattern (yellow with black tip) and a stouter bill. Differs from the lesser crested tern by a white rump, paler grey mantle, and black-tipped stouter bill. Separated from the greater crested tern by its smaller size, lack of a white forehead in breeding season, darker grey mantle and rump on the latter, and the greater crested tern's all-yellow bill.
Distribution & Habitat
Historically distributed along the Chinese east coast north to Shandong Province. Rediscovered nesting in the Matsu Islands off Fujian Province, China. Winters south to the Philippines, with records in Manila Bay, Panabo, Lingayen Gulf, Davao River, and Bulacan. First recorded breeding in South Korea in 2016. A confirmed sighting occurred in Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2025, the first since 1913.
Behavior & Ecology
Nests in colonies, sometimes alongside greater crested terns. Hybridisation with the greater crested tern has been documented.
Conservation
Classified as critically endangered. The total population is speculated to be less than 50 birds. Threats include illegal egg collection, typhoons, disturbance of nesting colonies by fishermen, and hybridisation. The nesting islet in the Matsu Islands has been declared a wildlife sanctuary.
Culture
It is the county bird of Lienchiang County, Fuchien.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Thalasseus
Distribution
breeds very locally islets off coastal eastern China and southwestern South Korea; winter range poorly known but mainly coastal southeastern China, Taiwan, northern Philippines, and coastal Seram (southern Moluccas); very rare
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
