中華鳳頭燕鷗是全球最稀有的海鳥之一，甚至被認為已經滅絕，因為自1937年在中國出現之後，往後60年再無任何目擊紀錄。
直至2000年，終於在台灣馬祖列島發現四對中華鳳頭燕鷗，全世界都為此興奮不已。
目前為止，全球只有不多於100隻中華鳳頭燕鷗，也自然被國際自然保護聯盟(IUCN)列為極度瀕危的鳥類。
中華鳳頭燕鷗屬候鳥一種，經常混在大鳳頭燕鷗群中，分享相近的生境及棲息地，行為也相類似。最新消息是有個體被發現在韓國繁殖，途經日本和菲律賓前往印尼度冬。
Lost over 60 years
Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini is one of the rarest seabird in the world which previously assumed as extinct. The latest record was found in 1937 in Mainland China. We thought we would never see this species again! Until the year 2000, a mere four pairs were rediscovered and found nesting in an islet in the Matsu Islands, Taiwan. This great news shocked the world. There are fewer than 100 Chinese Crested Terns left at present. As a result, this species is now listed as Critically Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its extremely small population.
Chinese Crested Tern is a migratory bird and usually found accompanied with a similar Greater Crested Terns most of the time. They have similar behaviour and share similar sites and habitats. Since the Chinese Crested Tern “reappeared”, we ought to understand the biology of the species so that we could formulate a conservation plan to safeguard them. Lately, more individuals were found breeding in Korea, transiting in Japan and the Philippines, and wintering in Indonesia.
以科學數據保護中華鳳頭燕鷗---中華鳳頭燕鷗衛星追蹤計劃
為了準確追蹤中華鳳頭燕鷗，專家小組計劃在這個冬季把衛星追蹤器安裝在中華鳳頭燕鷗身上。相對於在繁殖地(如韓國或台灣)進行衛星追蹤，在越冬地點進行是較安全及有效的安排，因為候鳥能夠抵達度冬地，證明身體會較強壯，體型也較成熟，更重要是不會騷擾牠們繁殖。
We know where they go, and then… …
To accurately tracking the Chinese Crested Tern, the research team is planning to put a satellite tracking transmitter in a Chinese Crested Tern in its wintering site in Indonesia early next year. Conducting satellite tracking in wintering site is considered to be more save and effective.
掌握中華鳳頭燕鷗行蹤，然後… …
追蹤中華鳳頭燕鷗，了解牠們遷徙的詳細路線，下一步便要結合各方量一起合作保護牠們，甚至建立燕鷗保護區等各種保育措施。
We know where they go, and then… …
Later, when the bird heads north to its breeding ground, we can track down the detailed migration route of this mysterious bird. Then we need to work with every person and organizations along the migration route to formulate a comprehensive strategy to conserve this bird, including set up tern reserve, etc.
香港觀鳥會與國際專家團隊
憑著豐富的經驗我們與國際鳥類專家團隊緊密合作，2012年起，我們與內地多個機構、國際鳥盟、香港海洋公園保育基金、俄勒崗州立大學及多位海外專家先後進行研究及招引計劃。2018年2月更聯同美國、日本和印尼的燕鷗專家和海鳥研究員到印尼，把衛星追蹤器放在其中三隻大鳳頭燕鷗身上進行追蹤。團隊定於2019年冬季對中華鳳頭燕鷗進行這項重要的中華鳳頭燕鷗衛星追蹤計劃。
HKBWS and international experts and researchers
The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society has followed the Chinese Crested Tern closely since it reappeared. We have been working with BirdLife International, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Oregon State University and the research team from mainland China since 2012. An International team of tern experts and seabird researchers was form for the trial study in Feb 2018, which include experienced researchers from USA, Japan, Hong Kong and local partners from Indonesia. This team will work again for this proposed study in coming winter.
