
In an undated image provided by M. Suranto, the black-browed babbler of Borneo. For the first time in 170 years, researchers reported last week that a black-browed babbler has been found in Indonesia. (M. Suranto via The New York Times) — NO SALES; FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY WITH NYT STORY INDONESIA MISSING BIRD BY RACHEL NUWER FOR MARCH 1, 2021. ALL OTHER USE PROHIBITED. —
This Bird Wasn’t Seen for 170 Years. Then It Appeared in an Indonesian Forest.
Rachel Nuwer
Wed, March 3, 2021, 7:57 AM
What might be Asia’s longest-missing bird just came out of hiding. For the first time in 170 years, a black-browed babbler has been found in Indonesia, researchers reported last week. The discovery of the muted black, gray and chestnut-brown bird solves what an authoritative birding guide describes as “one of the great enigmas of Indonesian ornithology.”
“When we actually got confirmation of the identification, I did a little prayer and bowed down to celebrate,” said Panji Gusti Akbar, an ornithologist and lead author of the paper describing the new species. “I felt excitement, disbelief and a lot of happiness.”
…
This is excellent news!
HT to Allan Rosenzweig.