American Bird Conservation
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The black-necked pheasant pigeon has been found in Papua New Guinea for the first time in 140 years. On Fergusson Island, near the main island, three researchers searched for the bird for a month in September. In 2019 there was also an expedition in search of the pheasant pigeon, which was then unsuccessful.
In the last days of the investigation, the expedition members talked with local residents. They claimed to have spotted the bird around the island’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilkerran. The bird was caught in the woods with the help of twenty camera traps. They are the first images of the unique bird species since 1882. It was like “finding a unicorn,” said expedition co-leader John Mittermeier.
The bird was last seen in the late 19th century and has since been considered extinct. Very little is known about the species, but according to scientists, the population on Fergusson Island is small and declining. The researchers hope to use the information to protect the remaining pheasant pigeons.
