The black-naped pheasant-pigeon, documented by science for the first and heretofore only time in 1882, was rediscovered in Papua New Guinea, nonprofits Re:wild and the American Bird Conservancy announced Thursday.
The bird was found in its native habitat of Fergusson Island off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea, and is critically endangered. Photos and video taken of the bird by researchers mark the first documented evidence of its existence in 140 years.
“After a month of searching, seeing those first photos of the pheasant-pigeon felt like finding a unicorn. It is the kind of moment you dream about your entire life as a conservationist and birdwatcher,” said John Mittermeier, director of the Lost Birds program at ABC and co-leader of the expedition, in a joint release including both ABC and Re:wild.