China (mainland) (B), Hong Kong (China) (NB), Japan (NB), Macao (China) (NB), North Korea (NB), Russia (Asian), South Korea (B), Taiwan (China) (NB), Vietnam (NB).
Coastal eastern China from Liaoning through Hebei and Shandong to Jiangsu. Winters from South Korea and southern Japan south to northern Vietnam.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 7,100 - 9,600 (2010) and decreasing.
Saunders's Gull (Chroicocephalus saundersi) [XC414478]
by Frank Lambert from Yangkou mudflats, Nantong Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China (flight call, song, (song))
Saunders's Gull (Chroicocephalus saundersi) [XC414476]
by Frank Lambert from Yangkou mudflats, Nantong Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China (flight call)
Subspecies
Quite similar to Brown-hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis). Sometimes placed in monotypic subgenus Saundersia, based on its compressed bill, its long, slender tarsi, and its incised webs between the long toes.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is larger, less compact with longer bill and white leading edge to wing.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet