The bird of myth-the black mouth gull was discovered gain

Words： DR.Liu Xiao-Ru
Source： Lian Chiang Shuei Monthly, 2000, SEP.

Preface-Accidently, birds’ photographer Leung accepted Matsu county government’s job to take photographs in reef tern sanctuary on desert islands in Matsu at the beginning of June, He found at least 8 terns were different among more than 2000 birds of more than 400 nests; he excitedly called Doctor Liu Xiao Ru of Central Academic from Matsu He sheared the film taken when he returned to Taiwan, and found terns that have a small black piece in the front of beak, and the body types are smaller, after checking on "manual of birds in the world", he surprisingly felt that this may be the black mouth gull, which is considered disappeared completely, or less than 100 existing worldwide. Doctor Liu Xiao Ru, went to Matsu right away to observe and addresses in the meantime a letter to the international bird alliance to inquiry experts of terns. Later these birds were confirmed as a result that they are "the bird in the myth". the black mouth gull. It attracts international attention, the British BBC television made an exclusive report , this stunning discovery made Taiwan R.O.C. ascends the research stage of world birds, after the discovery of Taiwan Plataea .

According to records, the black mouth gull is similar to the rare migratory bird in Taiwan, but the body figure is smaller, it body size is about 40 cm and its mouth is yellow but the beak is black, this kind of bird is often dwelt at the bay area, river mouth or island, fly alone or in a pair, taking fish and shrimp as food, the breeding period is between June and August. The first discovery and name assignation was in 1863, so far there are only five records. There were 10 discovered in Thailand in July, 1980 and three indeterminate records of in yellow river delta of mainland China in September, 1991, which can be considered the least amount of tern birds in the world.

the number of the black mouth gull is very rare , expert estimate there are not more than 100 black mouth gulls exist globally, and they are listed as " nearly extinct completely" grade by the world birds red skin book, same grade with Plataea. Yet the total amount is probably less. The record of the black mouth gull is not much, in " manual of birds in the world" book, this kind of bird is listed as "nearly of severe extinct danger", they have never been found to breed behaviors, birds experts call it as "the bird in the myth".

Currently the birds investigating experts do not have the information of distribution or features of the black mouth gull yet, because they have not been discovered for nearly 10 years, many books and reports all doubt that this kind of bird are extinct completely.

Published by：Lienchiang County Government

Modify Date：108/09/20