Rare Madagascar bird feared extinct rediscovered

Ornithologists are celebrating the rediscovery of the dusky tetraka - an olive coloured, yellow-throated songbird native to Madagascar - that was last seen in 1999 and was feared extinct.

The bird was once on the Top 10 most wanted "lost birds" list after eluding scientists for 24 years.

Now three of the rare ground-dwelling songbirds have been sighted in recent weeks, during an expedition into the remote rainforests of north-east Madagascar.

Excited ornithologists say the discovery may cause a rewriting of text books, as the birds were seen on rocky banks by mountain streams - not previously thought to be its natural habitat.

Scientists say this may explain why they haven't been seen, or indeed heard for so long, as the sound of rushing water would have drowned out the bird's calls.

The expedition team found them in two separate locations, on the Masoala peninsula and near Andapa.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: John C Mittermeier Twitter