Chinese Crested Tern
NameChinese Crested Tern
Common NameChinese Crested Tern
Scientific NameThalasseus bernsteini
FamilyLaridae
Wingspan (cm)85
Length (cm)40.5
Weight (g)215
Plumage DetailsAdults in breeding plumage have a white body, pale grey upperparts and wings, and a prominent shaggy black crest extending from the forehead to the nape. The bill is bright orange-yellow with a black tip. Legs and feet are black. Non-breeding plumage shows a reduced black cap, often mottled with white, and a duller bill.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, grating calls, often described as a 'kear-ick' or 'karr-arr', similar to other crested terns but potentially higher pitched.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeHistorically bred along the coast of eastern China and possibly South Korea. The non-breeding range extends south to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is one of the rarest terns in the world, with very few known breeding colonies.
Identifying FeaturesOrange-yellow bill with black tip, Shaggy black crest (especially in breeding plumage), Pale grey upperparts and white underparts, Often found in mixed colonies with Greater Crested Terns
Description
The Chinese Crested Tern is a medium-sized seabird characterized by its white body, pale grey back, and a distinctive shaggy black crest during breeding season. It possesses a prominent orange-yellow bill with a black tip. This critically endangered species breeds colonially on remote coastal islands.
