Lost Birds

Top 10 Lost Birds

Welcome to the Top 10 Lost Birds! Whether they are from rugged mountain ranges in New Zealand, small islands in Indonesia, or the tropical forests of eastern Madagascar, we know so little about the Top 10 Lost Birds that finding any one of them could lead to direct conservation action. Remarkably, two of these Lost Birds were found in 2022, the first full year since the list was launched (December 2021).

  • Himalayan Quail

    Ophrysia superciliosa

    FAMILY

    Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (Phasianidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1876

    (148 years)

    REGION

    Asia

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    There has not been a confirmed sighting of a Himalayan Quail since 1876, but there have been scattered reports of possible sightings. This gives conservationists hope that the species could be rediscovered. Although reported sightings have been trickling in since the 1900s, the most recent possible sighting was a report from a hunter in 2010 in the mountains of northern India. The quail lives in dense grassy areas or scrubland in the Himalayan Mountains and was reportedly very difficult to flush, making it even more challenging to find. Scientists think that hunting during the colonial period may have caused the bird’s population to plummet by the end of the 19th century.

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Negros Fruit-Dove

    Ptilinopus arcanus

    FAMILY

    Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1953

    (71 years)

    REGION

    Asia

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    Given the extremely shy nature of fruit-doves, it isn’t surprising that they can be hard to find. The Negros Fruit-Dove, however, hasn’t had a confirmed sighting since it was first described by science in 1953. Negros, the bird’s namesake island in the Philippines, has had much of its forests destroyed, leaving relatively little remaining for species like the Negros Fruit-Dove. Conservationists think it’s likely that the Negros Fruit-Dove may have originally lived in lowland forests, almost all of which have now been cleared from Negros. Despite this, there is hope that the fruit-dove might survive in some remaining patches of higher elevation forest on Negros, or perhaps the dove might occur on the neighboring island of Panay, which few birdwatchers visit. Reported observations of Negros Fruit-Doves in 1985, 2002, and 2008 (none documented) have also given conservationists hope that the species could still be found.

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Itombwe Nightjar

    Caprimulgus prigoginei

    FAMILY

    Nightjars and Allies (Caprimulgidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1955

    (69 years)

    REGION

    Africa

    IUCN STATUS

    Endangered

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Santa Marta Sabrewing

    Campylopterus phainopeplus

    FAMILY

    Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    Found

    REGION

    South America

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Jerdon's Courser

    Rhinoptilus bitorquatus

    FAMILY

    Pratincoles and Coursers (Glareolidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    2004

    (20 years)

    REGION

    Asia

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Cuban Kite

    Chondrohierax wilsonii

    FAMILY

    Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    2009

    (15 years)

    REGION

    North America

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Siau Scops-Owl

    Otus siaoensis

    FAMILY

    Owls (Strigidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1866

    (158 years)

    REGION

    Asia

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • South Island Kōkako

    Callaeas cinereus

    FAMILY

    Wattlebirds (Callaeidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1909

    (114 years)

    REGION

    Oceania

    IUCN STATUS

    Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Dusky Tetraka

    Xanthomixis tenebrosa

    FAMILY

    Malagasy Warblers (Bernieridae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    Found

    REGION

    Africa

    IUCN STATUS

    Data Deficient

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.

  • Vilcabamba Brushfinch

    Atlapetes terborghi

    FAMILY

    New World Sparrows (Passerellidae)

    LAST DOCUMENTED

    1968

    (56 years)

    REGION

    South America

    IUCN STATUS

    Near Threatened

    .

    View the full details, latest updates and discussion at the species profile.