Rediscovery: Rare kingfisher reappears after 13 years

The Bismarck kingfisher (Ceyx websteri) was considered lost for almost 13 years. Since the last confirmed record in 2012, the species had gone unobserved, raising fears that it might already be extinct. In May 2025, however, the species was confirmed again in Papua New Guinea: researcher John Lamaris documented a male bird on the island of New Ireland, as reported by the Search for Lost Birds initiative here.

The rediscovery

While conducting research on the extremely rare Beck’s petrel (Pseudobulweria becki)—a species rediscovered only in 2007 and previously known from just two specimens—John Lamaris, supported by the American Bird Conservancy, also deliberately searched for other lost species on New Ireland. One of these was the Bismarck kingfisher.

On the evening of 17 May, during an expedition in southern New Ireland, Lamaris directed the beam of his flashlight at a branch along a riverbank. Perched there was a kingfisher that immediately caught his attention: a robust black bill, a blue-green shimmering breast band, and a pale underside. At first, it was unclear whether this was indeed the Bismarck kingfisher, missing since 2012, as most known illustrations depict the birds with an orange belly. Only later confirmation by bird expert Guy Dutson brought certainty: it was a male of the species, whose underside is naturally much lighter in colour.

Threatened habitat

The Bismarck kingfisher inhabits small, slow-flowing rivers in the lowland forests of the Bismarck Archipelago. Its last documented record dated from 2012, when a single individual was photographed on New Britain. After that, there were no further confirmed sightings.

As encouraging as the current observation is, population numbers remain low. The IUCN lists the species as “Vulnerable”. The main cause is ongoing habitat loss.

On New Britain, up to 25% of the lowland forests have been destroyed over recent decades, primarily for oil palm plantations. Although major corporations have since imposed a deforestation moratorium, smaller companies and the expansion of subsistence gardens continue to threaten valuable forests. In addition, industrial logging and secondary impacts such as the siltation of rivers deprive the kingfisher of its hunting and breeding sites.

More recent analyses suggest that the rate of deforestation has slowed slightly. Nevertheless, experts cautiously anticipate a further decline of 10 to 20% over three generations.

The rediscovery is not only of scientific importance but also highlights the urgent need for conservation action. Lamaris sees it as an opportunity to strengthen nature conservation in southern New Ireland, particularly in the region around Cape St. George, a key biodiversity hotspot.

Collaboration as the key to success

The rediscovery of the Bismarck kingfisher was only possible thanks to close cooperation with local communities. Landowners and clan members guided Lamaris and his team through the forest and shared their knowledge of the local wildlife. This interplay between traditional knowledge and scientific research proved crucial—and will continue to play a central role in the future when it comes to locating and protecting rare species.

The finding also shows that even after many years there can still be hope for rediscoveries. Lamaris intends to continue his work and search for other lost birds of the Bismarck Archipelago. On his list are the Eichhorn’s friarbird (Philemon eichhorni), last recorded in 2012; the White-naped lory (Lorius albidinucha), last seen in 2008; the Oriental swiftlet (Aerodramus orientalis), not observed since 1962; and Turdus heinrothi, a thrush species last documented in 1994.

The rediscovery of the Bismarck kingfisher is also significant in an international context. It was listed on the current Lost Birds List 2025, which includes species for which there have been no confirmed records for at least ten years. This list is regularly updated as part of the Search for Lost Birds initiative, a collaborative project of BirdLife International, American Bird Conservancy and Re:wild.

The goal is to locate lost bird species worldwide and thus provide new impetus for their conservation. With the confirmation of the Bismarck kingfisher, the seventh species rediscovered in 2025 has already been reported—following the Cinnamon-chested blue flycatcher, the Vilcabamba inca, the Black-bellied seedcracker, the Black-tailed cisticola, as well as two other bird species in Peru.

Source

• Foster, N. (2025, September 10). FOUND: Bismarck Kingfisher Documented for the First Time in 13 Years. Search for Lost Birds. https://searchforlostbirds.org/news/found-bismarck-kingfisher-documented-for-the-first-time-in-13-years