Quest launched to find ‘lost' birds
August 2009. BirdLife International, of which the RSPB is the UK Partner, has launched a global bid to try to confirm the continued existence of 47 species of bird that have not been seen for up to 184 years.
The list of potentially lost birds is a tantalising mix of species ranging from some inhabiting the least visited places on earth - such as remote islands and the western Himalayas - to those occurring in parts of Europe and the United States.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Jamaican Petrel, Hooded Seedeater, Himalayan Quail, and Pink-headed Duck
Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's chief executive, said: "The mention of species such as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Jamaican Petrel, Hooded Seedeater, Himalayan Quail, and Pink-headed Duck will set scientists' pulses racing. Some of these species haven't been seen by any living person, but birdwatchers around the world still dream of rediscovering these long lost ghosts.
Rediscovered birds - Cebu flowerpecker
"History has shown us that we shouldn't give up on species that are feared to have become extinct, because some, such as the Cebu flowerpecker, have been rediscovered long after they were feared extinct, providing hope for the continued survival of other ‘long-lost' species. The Cebu flowerpecker, of the Philippines, was only rediscovered at the eleventh hour just before the last remnants of its forest home were destroyed.
"The extinction crisis is gathering momentum, but that's no excuse for humanity to allow even more strands from the web of life to disappear, especially without giving them a final chance of life."
The announcement of the quest to find lost species was made at the launch of the 21st British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water. Funds raised from this year's event will go to the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme to help fund these searches.
The RSPB's Martin Davies, co-organiser of the British Birdwatching Fair, said: "During the BirdFair's twenty-one-year history we have funded many conservation projects that have benefited species of bird threatened with extinction. It would be a great legacy if funds from British birdwatchers prove the survival of formerly lost species.
"We have chosen the Cebu flowerpecker as the emblem of this year's British Birdwatching Fair because it provides hope and inspiration not to give up on lost species. We are delighted that the Philippines Ministry of Tourism has today agreed to become the BirdLife Species Champion for this forest jewel."
The ministry of tourism's funding will provide initial financial support efforts by the Cebu Biodiversity Foundation to conserve the Critically Endangered Cebu Flowerpecker, which was feared extinct in the early 20th Century but was rediscovered in 1992.
Tim Appleton, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, has been a co-organiser of the British Birdwatching Fair since it started. He said: "The story of the Cebu flowerpecker is living proof that by focusing our efforts and resources, we really can make positive difference for the world's biodiversity. On reflection, this is a remarkable achievement, especially when you consider it's driven by 20,000 birdwatchers standing around in a few fields in Rutland for a weekend."
The lost birds
- Africa: Alaotra Grebe; Archer's Lark; Liberian Greenbul; and Slender-billed Curlew.
- Asia: Banggai Crow; Blue-fronted Lorikeet; Crested Shelduck; Himalayan Quail; Javan Lapwing; Negros Fruit-dove; Pink-headed Duck; Rueck's Blue-flycatcher; Siau Scops-owl; Silvery Wood-pigeon; Slender-billed Curlew; Sulu Bleeding-heart; and White-eyed River-martin.
- Australasia: Beck's Petrel; Makira Moorhen; New Caledonian Lorikeet; New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar; New Caledonian Rail; and Night Parrot.
- Caribbean: Bachman's Warbler; Ivory-billed Woodpecker; Jamaica Petrel; Jamaican Pauraque; and Semper's Warbler.
- Central America: Guadalupe Storm-petrel and Imperial Woodpecker.
Europe: Slender-billed curlew. - North America: Bachman's Warbler; Eskimo Curlew; Ivory-billed Woodpecker; Nukupuu (Hawaii); Oahu Alauahio (Hawaii); Olomao (Hawaii); Ou (Hawaii); and Poo-uli (Hawaii).
- Oceania: Nukupuu; Oahu Alauahio; Olomao; Ou; Pohnpei Starling; Poo-uli; Red-throated Lorikeet; and Samoan Moorhen.
- South America: Antioquia Brush-finch; Blue-eyed Ground-dove; Eskimo Curlew; Glaucous Macaw; Hooded Seedeater; Kinglet Calyptura; Rio de Janeiro Antwren; Spix's Macaw; Tachira Antpitta; and Turquoise-throated Puffleg.
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