In recent years, there have been some truly astonishing discoveries of birds that were thought to be extinct but were rediscovered alive in the wild. Finding a bird that was considered extinct is extremely rare, but when it does happen, it gives us hope that other vanished species may still be out there as well.
One of the most incredible examples of an extinct bird being rediscovered is the case of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. This large woodpecker was considered extinct for over 60 years before it was reportedly sighted and filmed in 2004. While there is some debate about whether the footage truly shows an Ivory-billed Woodpecker, there are many who believe this iconic American bird persists in remote swamps of the southeastern US. Its rediscovery was electrifying news and sparked numerous expeditions to try and confirm its existence.
Other remarkable cases of ‘extinct’ birds found alive again include:
New Zealand Storm Petrel
This seabird was known only from a few specimens collected in the 1850s and was thought to be extinct for over 150 years. That changed in 2003 when it was rediscovered after a dead storm petrel was found washed up on a beach in New Zealand. Several living birds have now been identified off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia.
Cebu Flowerpecker
This tiny Philippine bird was known from a single specimen collected in 1896 and was presumed extinct. In 1992, it was sensational news when a remnant population was discovered in a tiny forest fragment on Cebu Island. It remains critically endangered to this day.
Jerdon’s Courser
Widely believed extinct since the early 1900s, this peculiar ground-dwelling bird was rediscovered in 1986 when a small population was found in a scrub forest in India. It remains one of the rarest birds in the world today.
Táchira Antpitta
This shy species was only known from 1950s museum specimens collected in Venezuela. Many thought it was already extinct, but in 2016 it was refound in cloud forest habitat. Birdwatchers can now visit its range to see this ‘Lazarus’ species.
The Search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Perhaps the most celebrated and controversial case of a rediscovered species is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. This spectacular bird, nicknamed the ‘Lord God Bird’, was the largest woodpecker in the US with a 30-inch wingspan and brilliant white plumage. By the mid-1900s, habitat loss had taken a huge toll and it was believed wiped out.
Then, in 2004 a kayaker named Gene Sparling claimed to have seen an Ivory-bill in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. This prompted an intensive search effort in the swamps and oak forests of Arkansas, led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In April 2005, they announced the publication of a 4 second video clip of a woodpecker that they claimed to be conclusive evidence of an Ivory-bill.
This earth-shattering news sparked what was described as the ‘holy grail’ of birding. Over the next few years, numerous experienced birders descended on Arkansas to try and catch a glimpse of this extinct icon come back to life. Some reported sightings and acoustic evidence fueling hopes the bird persisted. But time wore on with no definitive confirmation, and enthusiasm waned.
Today, opinion remains divided about whether the original video and subsequent sightings represent incontrovertible proof. Nevertheless, the rediscovery story of the Ivory-bill demonstrates the resilience of nature and gives us hope that other extinct species may still cling to existence in remote corners of the world. The hunt for the ‘Lord God Bird’ continues in the isolated forests of the south.
Why Rediscovering Extinct Birds Matters
When a bird considered extinct is found alive again, it reminds us of how little we truly know and understand about the natural world. It illustrates that even birds that have been unrecorded for over a century can still exist undetected in small pockets we call ‘biological hotspots’.
Here are some of the key reasons why rediscovering ‘extinct’ bird species is so important:
Challenges Perceived Notions of Extinction
When we pronounce a species extinct, it is normally after many fruitless years of searching. ‘Extinction is forever’ as the saying goes. But when an extinct species reappears, it forces us to reconsider how permanent extinction really is. Maybe there are some species that can cling to existence even when on the brink.
Provides Hope for Other Species
If spectacular birds like the Ivory-bill can manage to escape detection for over 60 years, could other vanished birds still be out there too? It gives renewed hope that we might rediscover species like the Pink-headed Duck or Bachman’s Warbler, which haven’t been seen in decades.
Highlights Importance of Isolated Habitats
When presumed extinct birds are refound, it is often in tiny pockets of remote habitat. This underlines the critical importance of preserving isolated fragments the world over, no matter how degraded or unpromising they may seem. They could be harboring forgotten species.
Catalyzes Protection Efforts
The publicity generated by a sensational bird rediscovery focuses attention on protecting vital habitat areas. For example, the rediscovery of the Cebu Flowerpecker helped galvanize efforts to save the tiny forest where it lived.
Creates Ecotourism Opportunities
Birders from all over the world will pay good money for the chance to see a ‘Lazarus’ species returned from extinction. This generates funds for continued habitat protection and raises awareness through ecotourism.
| Species | Years missing | Year rediscovered |
|---|---|---|
| Ivory-billed Woodpecker | 60+ years | 2004 (disputed) |
| Cebu Flowerpecker | 96 years | 1992 |
| Jerdon’s Courser | 86 years | 1986 |
| Táchira Antpitta | 56 years | 2016 |
Challenges in Confirming the Survival of Lost Birds
When a lost species of bird is rediscovered, it understandably generates excitement. But confirming whether a sighting represents a true Lazarus species can also be challenging for several reasons:
Lack of Familiarity
When a bird has been missing for a long time, there are very few observers familiar with the species left. This makes identification difficult.
Morphologically Similar Species
Other birds in the same region may be very similar looking, leading to misidentifications. The possible Ivory-bill sightings may have been Pileated Woodpeckers all along.
Insufficient Evidence
Fleeting sightings, blurry photos, and short video clips don’t always provide slam-dunk confirmation. Physical proof like specimens, DNA, or clear video is needed.
Remote Habitat
If the species survives in remote, hard-to-access habitat, it is challenging for scientists to systematically follow up and obtain definitive evidence.
Small Populations
When a species is on the brink, there may only be a handful of individuals left. This tiny population could disappear again before adequate proof is obtained.
Proving the continued existence of a lost bird requires eliminating every other possibility combined with a preponderance of high-quality evidence. Rediscoveries highlight how difficult this can be.
Famous Extinct Birds That Have Yet to Be Found Again
While a small number of high-profile extinct birds have staged remarkable comebacks from presumed extinction, some other iconic lost birds have yet to be rediscovered despite tantalizing hints they may persist:
Passenger Pigeon
This species was once incredibly abundant but was hunted to extinction by 1914. Unconfirmed sightings pop up now and then, but no concrete evidence has emerged that flocks survive. Finding a Passenger Pigeon alive today would be world news.
Carolina Parakeet
North America’s only native parrot, this gregarious species was wiped out by habitat loss and persecution. Rumored sightings have occurred for decades, but no definitive proof has been obtained that it still exists.
Eskimo Curlew
This North American shorebird was slaughtered in huge numbers and declined catastrophically. It has not been reliably documented since the early 1960s despite occasional reports.
Bachman’s Warbler
This colorful wood-warbler breeding in the southeastern US declined through the 1900s. The last well-accepted sightings were in the 1970s, but unconfirmed reports pop up sporadically giving hope it persists.
These birds and many more continue to be targets of rediscovery efforts by scientists and birders. Time will tell whether any of these disappeared icons of avian diversity still survive undetected.
Conclusion
The rare and fortuitous rediscoveries of extinct birds represent glimmers of hope in our age of mass extinction. They remind us that even species written off for decades can still cling to survival in small pockets. Although caution is warranted, the continuing quest to document Lazarus species pays dividends by providing corroboration that species can endure even on the brink and by catalyzing habitat protection for their survival. As long as remote wilderness remains, the possibility remains that some lost birds may yet be found again and delight new generations of nature lovers.
