“Bird of Legend” reappears in Malaysia after more than a century
The unexpected discovery of the Critically Endangered Chinese Crested Tern in Malaysia has stunned researchers and highlighted the urgency of protecting Sarawak’s coastal wetlands.
The Chinese Crested Tern — known as the “bird of legend” — has been sighted off the coast of Asajaya, Sarawak, marking the species’ first confirmed appearance in Malaysia since 1913.
“When it was last seen in Malaysia, it was more than a century ago. To put that into perspective, Televisions hadn’t been invented yet. It’s a major milestone for the species and an exciting development for global seabird conservation” explained Dr. Yong Ding Li, East Asian-Australasian flyway coordinator for BirdLife International.
With a global population of fewer than 200 individuals, the Chinese Crested Tern (Thalasseus bernsteini) has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1994. “This is one of the rarest birds on Earth, and among the rarest seabirds in Asia” confirms Dr. Yong Ding Li.
This sighting by the Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch (MNSKB), BirdLife’s Partner in Malaysia, occurred in February 2025 during routine monitoring of migratory waders at Bako-Buntal Bay in the state of Sarawak. The Chinese Crested Tern was spotted among a small flock of 10–20 Great Crested Tern, instantly recognisable by its distinctive, black-tipped bill. According to the MNSKB team, the sighting was a “dream-come-true moment”.
“To see this bird, a species last recorded in Sarawak in 1913, is a moment of profound joy and a call to recognize the importance of its habitat at Asa Jaya here in Sarawak. The discovery is also a commitment to conservation for the members of MNSKB and demonstrates the importance of ongoing research in understanding and protecting biodiversity.”
Rose Au, Chairperson of Malaysian Nature Society Kuching (MNSKB)
Thought to be extinct for decades, the Chinese Crested Tern was only rediscovered in 2000 on the Matsu Islands in the Taiwan Strait. At the time, its population was estimated at just 50 individuals. Today, population estimates have risen to between 100 and 150 individuals but the species remains perilously close to extinction.
Thanks to concerted conservation efforts, breeding sites documented on rocky offshore islands on the Korean Peninsula and in the East China and Yellow Seas, are earmarked for protection and nesting colonies translocated to safer locations. However, the species’ migratory patterns remain poorly understood and the most serious threats to its survival in the wild largely remain, including illegal egg harvesting by fishermen, damage from typhoons, loss of coastal wetland habitat and the impacts of invasive species, alongside the threat of avian diseases.
“This discovery gives us a new understanding of the wintering range of this species. We need to protect them in all parts of its range – breeding, stopover and wintering. Being such a rare species, every known site is important! We also need more field investigation to confirm the status and use of the site for this very special tern.”
Yat-tung Yu, Director, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (BirdLife Partner) and EAAFP Seabird Working Group coordinator
This discovery is also a testament to the importance of the East Asian-Australasian flyway, a vast migratory corridor that supports more than 200 species of waterbirds, including the Far Eastern Curlew and Spotted Greenshank — both Endangered species.
Along this incredible migratory route, Bako-Buntal is one of just 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in Malaysia, and the country’s first designated Flyway Network Site. This stretch of coastline is not only part of the Chinese Crested Tern’s range but is of global importance with 20,000-25,000 waterbirds that overwinter in the bay area.
This stretch of the Bornean coastline, particularly in Sarawak, wasn’t historically supported with regular survey or protection. However, the Malaysian Nature Society and BirdLife International is working to change that with on-the-ground conservation action and projects like the Regional Flyway Initiative which aims to future proof wetlands across the East Asian-Australasian flyway.
Given its superficial resemblance to the much more common Greater and Lesser Crested Terns, the Chinese Crested Tern can be easily overlooked by observers. Tidal conditions also make the sites it visits difficult to access, adding to the challenge of tracking this elusive species.
But thanks to the ongoing efforts of dedicated conservationists, this “bird of legend” is writing a new chapter in Malaysia — one that could help secure its future in the wild.
Header image: the Chinese Crested Tern (second from right) among Greater Crested Terns at Asajaya, Sarawak © Ng Jia Jie
