Saunders's Gull

Overview

Saunders's gull (Saundersilarus saundersi), also known as the Chinese black-headed gull, is a very small species of gull in the family Laridae. It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and a declining population estimated at fewer than 14,400 individuals.

Identification

• Adults in breeding plumage have a black hood and nape with a very pale white body and tail, and pale grey wings.
• Non-breeding birds display a mottled grey hood and white-tipped wings with black markings on the primaries.
• Immatures are distinguished by a narrow black tail band and dark mottling on the upperwing.
• The species has a squat body, a short black bill, and dark red-brown legs.

Habitat

This species inhabits estuarine waters and intertidal marshes, specifically breeding in saltmarshes dominated by the Suaeda glauca species. Its range includes eastern China and the west coast of Korea for breeding, and southern China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, southwestern Japan, and Vietnam for overwintering.

Diet

Saunders's gull forages by flying above the ground at approximately ten metres and dropping swiftly on prey, which includes mudskippers, crabs, fish, and worms. It is also a kleptoparasite that steals food items from other bird species.

Did you know?

The bird is a poor swimmer because it has only partially webbed feet, so it usually stays on land and moves up the beach in front of the rising tide.