Lost for a Century, Rare Bird Finally Found in Indonesia

A rare bird species has been sighted on Buru Island, Indonesia, during a 14-day expedition. The Blue-fronted Lorikeet, which is only found in Indonesia, was last seen 100 years ago. The species was first described from seven specimens in the 1920s. A photograph taken by Craig Robson during a Birdquest tour in 2014 provided evidence of its continued existence. In April 2026, a journey to the Mount Kapalatmada region resulted in a group of observers successfully spotting two Blue-fronted Lorikeets. “We saw two small birds fly into a nearby tree, so I grabbed my binoculars to see what kind of bird one of them was. I was delighted when I realised it was a blue-fronted lorikeet,” explained John C. Mittermeier, Director of the Search for Lost Birds. Despite its name, the bird is a bright lime green with an orange beak. The team was unable to photograph the initial pair as they flew away too quickly, but a few days later, another lorikeet appeared and was successfully photographed, marking the first new photo since 2014. The expedition also managed to record the bird’s call, though the remaining population size remains uncertain. Benny A. Siregar, Maluku Coordinator at Burung Indonesia, noted that the lorikeet faces challenges from deforestation and mining activity, adding that rare sightings indicate limited habitat use. The discovery underscores how species can survive in remote locations and highlights the challenge of forest conservation. Tour leader Sumaraja expressed hope that more people will see and study these birds, while also participating in preserving the remaining forests on Buru Island.