Takahe

Declared extinct in the late 19th century after intense hunting and habitat loss in New Zealand, until a small population was rediscovered in 1948 in remote Fiordland.

Bermuda Petrel

Thought extinct for nearly 300 years after early colonization of Bermuda, then rediscovered in 1951 nesting on offshore islets.

Forest Owlet

Known only from 19th-century specimens and presumed extinct for over a century until rediscovered in India in 1997.

New Zealand Storm Petrel

Known only from museum skins and assumed extinct for more than 150 years, until sightings and captures confirmed survival in 2003.

Madagascar Pochard

Feared extinct after decades without confirmed sightings until a tiny surviving population was found in 2006.

Jerdon’s Courser

Indian night bird unseen for much of the 20th century before rediscovery in 1986.

Guadalupe Storm Petrel

Long presumed extinct, recent acoustic and sight records hint it may still survive.

White-winged Flufftail

One of Africa’s rarest birds, repeatedly disappearing from known sites and feared lost before rediscoveries renewed conservation efforts.