Great Auk

It is closely related to the Sandwich tern, T. sandvicensis, and the lesser crested tern, T. bengalensis. It is most similar to the former, differing only in the bill pattern, which is the reverse of the Sandwich tern's, being yellow with a black tip.

From the lesser crested tern, which it overlaps in wintering distribution, it can be told by the white rump and paler grey mantle, as well as the black tip to the bill, which seen from up close also has a white point. The larger greater crested tern is also similar, differing in its stouter, all-yellow bill and darker grey mantle and rump, as well as in size.

Coming soon.

It is currently threatened by illegal egg collection, typhoons, and disturbance of nesting colonies by fishermen. There is also a threat of hybridization with the greater crested tern. In 2016, for the first time, Chinese crested terns were found breeding in South Korea. Setting up a new colony in such a faraway area would prove a boon for the species.

One of the most combative terns, it is ferociously protective of its nest & young. It will strike the top as well as the side of the head once assaulting people and dangerous animals. Although it is too small to seriously harm an animal the length of a human, it can still draw blood and deter many raptorial birds, polar bears, and other smaller mammalian predators like foxes and cats.

It is a critically endangered species, and previously thought extinct. Only four pairs were rediscovered in 2000 nesting in a greater crested tern colony on an islet in the Matsu Islands (a territory governed by Taiwan), just off the coast of Fujian Province, China, and wintering south to the Philippines.

The Chinese east coast's distribution used to extend further north to Shandong. The decline is believed to be a result of earlier hunting and egg gathering for food. Due to the islands' debatable status (managed by Taiwan's government but alleged by mainland China) and the military acuity of the region, which has limited access, this colony may have been protected. The islet is now a protected area for wildlife.

• Movement Pattern: None

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Increasing

• Population: 30-49

• Locomotion: Versatile

• Habitat: Taiga; montane grasslands and shrublands; temperate coniferous forests; temperate broadleaf and mixed forests; temperate deciduous forests, temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands; subtropical coniferous forests; subtropical moist broadleaf forests; subtropical dry broadleaf forests; limestone forest; tropical coniferous forests; tropical moist broadleaf forests; tropical dry broadleaf forests; tropical grasslands; Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub; deserts and xeric shrublands; badlands; flooded grasslands and savannas; swamp; riparian; wetland; mangrove forest; air-breathing coral reefs; graveyard vale; warm river; cold river; lukewarm river; subterranean river; pond; littoral

• Earth: see below

  • Extant (Breeding): People's Republic of China; People's Republic of North Korea

  • Extant (Non-breeding): Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Thailand

  • Extant (Resident): Republic of Taiwan

  • Extant & Vagrant (Non-breeding, TROQA): Ukraine; United Kingdom

Coming soon

Coming soon

• Ah Kum

• Chun Hua

• Hong

• Hua

• Jau-Long

• Li

• Lian

• Mingxia

• Zhang

• Liu

• Chen

• Yang

• Huang

• Zhao

• Bahasa Melayu: Burung Camar Cina Berjambul

• Azərbaycanca: Çin kəkilli susüpürəni

• Greek: Κινεζική λοφιοφόρο στερλίνα (Kinezikí lofiofóro sterlína)

• Romanian: Șternă crestată din China

• French: Sterne huppée de Chine

• Catalan: Xarran crestat de la Xina

• Spanish: Charrán crestado de China

• Portuguese: Andorinha-do-mar da China

• Deutsch: Bernsteinseeschwalbe

• Coming soon

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22694585/131118818 

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Chinese-Crested-Tern-919480219 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_crested_tern 

• https://www.sunstar.com.ph/ampArticle/1504306