The
Chinese crested tern has a yellow beak with a black tip and-unlike
the grayish-black plumage of the Greater crested tern-a lighter,
dusty gray body color. When perched, their primary feathers
are almost as long as their tails. Chinese crested terns have
a large, white stripe on their foreheads close to their crown,
as well as some small black coloration on the sides of their
head.
Behavior:
Chinese
crested terns are the rarest species of bird, and very little
is known about this member of the gull family. Only five sightings
of the bird have been recorded since it was first given its
scientific name in 1863, and the bird was thought to be extinct
until ten years ago, when its presence was detected at the nature
reserve on Matsu. The total world population of Chinese crested
terns is believed to have fallen below 100. Due to its status
as a rare and endangered avian species, along with the fact
that it often lives alongside Greater crested terns from which
they are hard to be distinguished, they are also known as the
"legendary bird."
Habitat:
Chinese
crested terns have been spotted on the Matsu Islands, as well
as near the mouth of Pachang River.
