Searching for the Mythical Bird of Matsu: The Chinese Crested Tern

Matsu is often called the homeland of terns—a birdwatcher’s paradise. The best time to view these seabirds is from July to August during tern season, when visitors can board boats to observe flocks of terns soaring above the sea. Within the “Tern Conservation Area” of the Matsu Islands, seven key species are protected: the White-fronted Tern, Bridled Tern, Roseate Tern, Crested Tern, Black-tailed Gull, Pacific Reef Heron, and the Fork-tailed Swift. Among them, the legendary “Chinese Crested Tern” (黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗) was once thought to be extinct for decades until it was miraculously rediscovered in 2000 in the Matsu Islands, earning the title of “County Bird” of Matsu.

So how can you spot a Chinese Crested Tern during tern-watching season? The bird measures about 43 cm in length, has an orange-yellow bill, with the front third of the beak black and the very tip white. Try to spot this rare and majestic bird gliding over the sea!

Chinese Crested Tern (黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗).

A close-up photograph of the Chinese Crested Tern.