In 1875 Bree wrote: “In all parts of Italy this species is met with; but while it is only a bird of passage and rather rare in the northern parts, in the central and southern parts it is common, and passes the winter there. In Sicily and in Malta it is the most common species […]
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, the vanished Log-God
Several cases of this species existence in Arkansas and Florida (USA) have been made since 2004, but the evidence is never unchallenged. Extensive surveys have been made in south-eastern Cuba, but the last record remains of 1987. The number of individuals is now very likely tiny. This 50 cm huge black-and-white woodpecker is overall black […]
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea)
It is incredible what activity this little bird has rendered since, about 8 years ago, for still not fully understood reasons, its popluation had declined to less than a 1000 individuals. In present day it is estimated at only 250 individuals and the population is aging. The crucial countries all working together, the action plans, […]
Rarest birds of the World: Razo Lark (Alauda razae)
The Raso Lark is only found in small numbers on one very small island. This species numbers change with the rainfall, more rain in a year means more fledgelings. An increase in drought on Cape Verde, will add to the likelihood of extinction. Being a ground-nester, the species is at high risk when none native […]
Rarest birds in the World: Masfuerta Rayadito (Aphrastura masafuerae)
This species has an extremely small range confined to mixed tree-fern forest on one small island, where recent surveys have shown it to have an extremely small population. In 1859 Sclater, the famous zoologist wrote in the Ibis, the magazine of the British Ornithologists’ Union: “Oxyurus masafuerae seems to be restricted to the island of […]
Rarest birds in the World: Pohnpei Mountain Starling (Aplonis pelzelni)
This species has only been observed once in the last 50 years (in 1995), and it has declined drastically since 1930, possibly through habitat loss, hunting and predation by introduced rats. However, it may remain extant since there have also been a number of unconfirmed reports, and further intensive surveys are required. Any remaining population […]
The White-breasted Thrasher or a golf course
The White-breasted Thrasher (Ramphocinclus brachyurus) is endemic to the coastal dry forests of St. Lucia, and is currently restricted in its range to two areas along the eastern coast. Recent population estimates from researchers working on this species put the global population around 1,500 birds. Based on recent surveys, it is believed nearly three-fourths of […]
The Yellow-billed Cotinga Sanctuary in Costa Rica
American Bird Conservancy and Osa Conservation have recently secured a key 11.8 ha (29.1 acres) property on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula for the IUCN Endanged Yellow-billed Cotinga. The property, now known as the Yellow-billed Cotinga Sanctuary is located near the town of Rincon on the eastern side of the Peninsula, and on the western shores […]
Rarest birds in the World: Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis)
This species is endemic to the tiny, fragmented forests of the Taita Hills, where it occurs in only four remnant patches, totalling less than 150 ha in area, on a single massif. It is also found in a larger patch of lesser disturbed forest on the adjacent massif of Mbololo. The Taita Hills are a […]
Rarest birds in the World: Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani)
Bourns and Worcester in 1894 wrote the following account: We were so fortunate as to secure aseries of fourteen specimens of this rare horn-bill from Sulu and Tawi Tawi. The tail is pure white. All other parts black, the feathers of back and wings glossed with dark green. The bill in abult birds is coal […]