Saunders’s Gull

Saunders's gull (Saundersilarus saundersi) or Chinese black-headed gull, is a species of gull in the family Laridae. It is found in China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Macau, Russia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are estuarine waters and intertidal marshes. As with many other gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus, but based on phylogenetic work some have moved it to Chroicocephalus, while others argue it is sufficiently distinct for placement in the monotypic Saundersilarus. In 2023, this transfer was accepted by the International Ornithologists' Union. It is threatened by habitat loss, particularly by conversion of saltmarsh to agricultural land or fish farms, and industrial development including oil extraction. One of its few remaining strongholds are the Yancheng Coastal Wetlands, which hosts about 20% of the world's population. Saunders's gull is named after the British ornithologist Howard Saunders. == Description == This is a very small species of gull with a length of just 33 cm (13 in) and, among gulls, only the little gull is smaller. Adults have a black hood and nape during the breeding season. It is very pale with a white body and tail, pale grey wings. Non-breeding birds have a mottled…