# Great Crested Tern

> Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii). The great crested tern forages over coastal sea and nests in colonies on coasts and islands; disturbance at a colony can affect many nests.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/thalasseus-bergii/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/thalasseus-bergii/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Great Crested Tern (*Thalasseus bergii*) is a bird in the family Laridae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. Diet: fish-eater (piscivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Thalasseus bergii* |
| Indonesian name | Dara-laut jambul |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Laridae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java |
| Taxonomic group | Charadriiformes |
| GBIF records | 5,385 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5789283) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · [Regulation P.106/2018](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) · annex no. 383 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — fish-eater (piscivore) · [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-crested-tern-thalasseus-bergii) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Great Crested Tern?

Great Crested Tern refers to Thalasseus bergii, in the genus Thalasseus, family Laridae, and order Charadriiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5789283)

## What is known about the Great Crested Tern?

The great crested tern forages over coastal sea and nests in colonies on coasts and islands; disturbance at a colony can affect many nests.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalasseus%20bergii)

## How many Indonesian records name the Great Crested Tern?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 5,385 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5789283&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5789283&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Great Crested Tern?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Great Crested Tern with Common Sandpiper, White-shouldered Triller, Coppersmith Barbet. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Great Crested Tern

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | *Thalasseus* |
| Species | *Thalasseus bergii* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Great Crested Tern

### What is the scientific name of the Great Crested Tern?

The scientific name of the Great Crested Tern is *Thalasseus bergii*, in the family Laridae and the order Charadriiformes. In Indonesian it is called Dara-laut jambul.

### What kind of animal is the Great Crested Tern?

The Great Crested Tern is a bird in the family Laridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a fish-eater (piscivore).

### Where does the Great Crested Tern live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Great Crested Tern summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Great Crested Tern eat?

The Great Crested Tern is a fish-eater (piscivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-crested-tern-thalasseus-bergii).

### How does the Great Crested Tern reproduce?

The Great Crested Tern reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the Great Crested Tern nocturnal?

The cited source records the Great Crested Tern as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Great Crested Tern?

Scientific classification of the Great Crested Tern: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Charadriiformes, family Laridae, genus *Thalasseus*, species *Thalasseus bergii*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Great Crested Tern endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Great Crested Tern is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5789283), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from national legal protection. [Is the Great Crested Tern protected in Indonesia?](#protected)

### Is the Great Crested Tern protected in Indonesia?

Yes. The Great Crested Tern (*Thalasseus bergii*) is a protected species in Indonesia under [Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) (annex, entry 383).

Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.

If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/).

### Can the Great Crested Tern be kept as a pet?

No. Because the Great Crested Tern is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.

If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5789283)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5789283&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144540)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalasseus%20bergii)
5. [Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf)
6. [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-crested-tern-thalasseus-bergii)
7. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Common Sandpiper](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/actitis-hypoleucos/)
- [White-shouldered Triller](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/lalage-sueurii/)
- [Coppersmith Barbet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/psilopogon-haemacephalus/)
- [Moluccan Eclectus](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/eclectus-roratus/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Great Crested Tern. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/thalasseus-bergii/