has rated it as "vulnerable". The main threats it faces are the degradation of its habitat as it is very dependent on saltmarshes dominated by seepweed. In China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and elsewhere, saltmarshes are being drained to make way for aquaculture. The introduction of the strong-growing smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) has also had deleterious effects. The disturbance of adults also results in greater predation on the eggs and chicks. References External links BirdLife Species Factsheet. Saunders's gull Birds of China Birds of Korea Birds of Manchuria Saunders's gull Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxobox binomials not recognized by IUCN Taxa named by Robert Swinhoe