Blog for the Birds

Raising the Alarm on Rare Chinese Bird

September 26, 2007 on 12:22 pm | In Endangered |

BirdLife International has raised the red flag on the Chinese Crested Tern - Sterna bernsteini.

Without urgent action conservationists have given the bird less than five years before disappearing completely from its two remaining breeding areas.

Unfortunately, the bird is sought after for its eggs and its population has dwindled to fewer than 50 birds. The eggs are thought to be more nutritious than chicken eggs.

This sea bird has been on the brink of extinction before. It was thought to be extinct before 4 pairs were located in at a nesting colony in 2000. The location of the colony is a politically sensitive islet - administered by Taiwan but claimed by mainland China. Having been declared a wildlife sanctuary recently, may help this bird survive and rise again.

Conservationists Warn About The Possible Extinction Of China’s Rarest Sea Bird