The Search for Lost Birds project has seen some inspiring successes in recent years. One of the most notable achievements was the discovery of the Santa Marta sabrewing in 2022. This stunning hummingbird, with its iridescent blue and green plumage, caught a researcher off guard when it unexpectedly appeared in Colombia. Another remarkable find was the Dusky Tetraka, a bird that preferred to dwell near rivers, which eluded scientists until an expedition team located the species in Madagascar in 2023.
Despite these triumphs, the urgency of the project cannot be overstated. With climate change and habitat destruction threatening biodiversity on our planet, critically endangered species like these lost birds are at risk of disappearing forever before conservation efforts can save them. Christina Biggs, leader of Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species and co-author of the project’s paper, emphasized the importance of this research. She highlighted the need to include indigenous communities, local knowledge holders, and citizen science initiatives in efforts to prevent extinction threats to threatened species.
The driving force behind the Search for Lost Birds project is the belief that some of these lost species still exist somewhere out there waiting to be discovered. It’s a race against time to locate them before it’s too late to save them from extinction. Through collaborative efforts between researchers and local communities alike, we can continue to uncover these elusive creatures and work towards their protection for generations to come.