Saunders's gull or the
Chinese black-headed gull (
Chroicocephalus saundersi) is a species of
gull in the
Laridae family. It is found in
China,
Hong Kong,
Japan,
North Korea,
South Korea,
Macau,
Russia,
Taiwan, and
Vietnam. Its natural
habitats are
estuarine waters and intertidal
marshes. As with many other gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the
genus Larus, but based on
phylogenetic work some have moved it to
Chroicocephalus, while others argue it is sufficiently distinct for placement in the
monotypic Saundersilarus. It is threatened by
habitat loss. One of its few remaining strongholds are the
Yancheng Coastal Wetlands, which hosts about 20% of the world's population.