Latest News from the Search for Lost Birds

Josh Bergmark tells the story of photographing Vella Lavella Monarch in the Solomon Islands, one of only a small handful of birds that have never before been photographed.

John Lamaris, a PhD candidate at Monash University, found the kingfisher while conducting research in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Recent findings suggest that a bird once deemed "the least-known bird species in the world" may not be a distinct species.

Sadly, not all searches end in rediscovery. When is it time to conclude that a lost bird is gone forever and why is proving extinction so important for conservation?

Are you a young birder interested in leading an expedition to look for one of the species on the Lost Birds list? Check out the new Ornis Birding x Lost Birds Expeditions Grants.

We now have pictures of almost every bird species on Earth. How many species are still out there that have never been photographed? What are they?

Eduar Paez shares recent updates from the search for the Sinú Parakeet in Colombia | Eduar Paez comparte nuevos avances en la búsqueda del Lorito del Sinú en Colombia.

The story behind the rediscovery and first photographs of a lost hummingbird in Peru.

Recent photographs provide the first documented record of the species since 2008.

What birds Lost Birds were rediscovered in 2024? Did any new birds become lost in the past year? We cover those questions and more in the 2025 list update.

A new publication details the first records since 1950 of a data deficient African songbird.

A twice-rediscovered African bird offers insight into how to find lost species.

Fabrice Schmitt describes an expedition by GECO Nature that resulted in photographs and sound recordings of two species not documented since 2013.

Josh Bergmark tells the story of visiting Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, to find the lost Bougainville Thicketbird and nearly-lost Moustached Kingfisher.

Last documented in 1995, the lost shorebird is the first extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe according to a new study.

Photographs taken in August 2024 are the first documented records of this rarely-seen species in 11 years.

Sighting of New Britain Goshawk, lost for 55 years, highlights need to protect biodiversity in Papua New Guinea.

Rarely glimpsed Mussau Triller documented for the first time in 44 years.

What birds have been found since the first Search for Lost Birds List was launched in 2022? Have any new birds become Lost since then? We cover those questions and more in the 2024 list update.

A project in northern Myanmar holds out hope of finding the iconic and critically endangered waterbird.

Citizen scientists could help rediscover and answer lingering questions about the whereabouts and status of some species

Striking species found only in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo documented for the first time in 16 years.

Stunning Video Captures Beauty of the Once Lost Hummingbird

Conservationists are headed to Makira forest to search for dozens of lost species

The Dusky Tetraka was one of the Search for Lost Birds' top 10 most wanted species.

An expedition with the Search for Lost Birds captured the first-ever photos and video of the Black-naped Pheasant-Pigeon

The Siau Scops-owl is one of the top 10 most wanted by the Search for Lost Birds

New sighting of lost Santa Marta Sabrewing gives conservationists hope for the Critically Endangered species

After exploring the Murrucucú Mountains in Córdoba, the Sinú Parakeet still hasn’t been found, but local communities are prepared to keep searching

Team captures first-ever clear photos and recording of the bird’s call

Expeditions planned this year will help scientists learn more about the species

After years of conflict might a lost parakeet species reveal itself in this Colombian forest

Confirming the existence of the Alfaro’s Hummingbird could also help to protect other species