A Very Rare Bird
Birdwatchers are one of my favorite species of people to watch.
They are curious, motivated by any flash of feathers that passes by their hawkish view. They like to tick lists and they like to count and compare.
When people ask me if I’m a birdwatcher, I tell them I like to watch birds–any birds. I’ll watch a pigeon or a penguin for hours. In this regard, my love for birds is more voyeuristic than scholastic.
But I also love birds because I travel. Travel and birds go very well together, because along with landscapes, languages, food and flags, native birds are the only way to really tell where you are in the world. Birds are somewhat geospatially unique–and some of them are very unique.
Atlantisia rogersi has wings but it cannot fly, which is unfortunate since it lives on this farflung island with very high cliffs. Luckily he is a good climber and hops well.
I was exceedingly lucky in that I was able to meet the Inaccessible Island Rail while on Inaccessible Island (watch the video here). The professionals say that there are about 8,400 mature individuals alive and well on Inaccessible Island. That sounds like a lot of birds–maybe not so rare–but what makes them so rare is that they only live on Inaccessible Island, nowhere else in the world. Imagine if the robin or cardinals in your backyard could only live in your backyard and nowhere else.
Traveling with birdwatchers was fun because I got to watch them hunt high and low on Inaccessible Island, looking for the Inaccessible Island Rail. They never found one, and so a friendly islander from Tristan Da Cunha plucked one out of the bushes and showed him to me. I was happy to meet this bird. He was very cute and energetic and did not like being held for this picture, just like most kids. But I was so impressed by his little lovely head and long shiny black beak–a species that is most certainly and extraordinarily unique.
So I saw one of the rarest birds on earth. And now I will sit back and watch the birdwatchers turn green with jealousy.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- How nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer sceneHow nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer scene
- How to plan an epic summer trip to a national parkHow to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur