Rare Lorikeet Photographed for the First Time in Over a Decade

Rediscovery of the Buru Lorikeet

According to НВ — Техно: An expedition led by an Indonesian mountaineering group has rediscovered the Buru lorikeet (Charmosynopsis toxopei), a bird endemic to Indonesia’s Buru Island. After a 12-year absence from observation, this species was photographed for the first time in that period, and researchers also captured the first audio recordings of its high-pitched calls. Listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, the bird was classified as lost in 2024 by the Search for Lost Birds organization.

Prior to this, the Buru lorikeet was only known from photographs taken in 2014 and a handful of early 20th-century museum specimens. It was first described from seven specimens collected in the 1920s. For nearly 90 years after that, the bird remained unseen until it was photographed again in 2014. The urgency to locate this species stems from its conservation status, which suggests it may be at risk of extinction.

The Expedition and Its Findings

Led by Indonesian climbers, the expedition achieved a major breakthrough. The team not only photographed the bird but also recorded its calls. During the journey, participants observed at least nine individuals, indicating a viable population. As John Mittermeier noted:

'There are no other birds on the island that look like a lorikeet, so when we saw them, we knew immediately what they were.' John Mittermeier

The research was conducted under harsh conditions, as reaching the expedition’s goals proved challenging:

'Rain, jagged limestone, river currents, and the lack of trails meant that anyone trying to reach the summit needed a compelling-or crazy-reason to even attempt it.' James Eaton

These efforts paid off, yielding not only sightings of a rare species but also crucial data for future research.

The Buru lorikeet is a key part of Buru Island’s ecosystem, and its rediscovery underscores the importance of preserving natural habitats. The Search for Lost Birds-a global partnership between American Bird Conservancy, Re: wild, and BirdLife International-had already listed this species as lost. Nonetheless, the lorikeet’s reappearance could spur further conservation and study of rare bird species in the region.

The recent discovery of the Buru lorikeet highlights the ongoing efforts to explore and protect Indonesia's unique avian biodiversity. Similar to the recent findings regarding a bird believed to be lost for nearly a century, which was also located on Buru Island, these expeditions reveal the importance of conservation initiatives. To learn more about another remarkable rediscovery, read about the bird thought extinct for decades.