The Jerdon's Babbler, a small, brown bird that was assumed to be extinct, has been sighted again. It was sighted again in Myanmar for the first time in 74 years. A research team from the wildlife conservation society (WCS) has confirmed its existence. The team spotted several babblers at different locations during their two day research. The bird was rediscovered by a team from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Myanmar Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division while inspecting a deserted agricultural station.
This bird was discovered by naturalist T.C. Jerdon in the 1860's, and soon became his namesake. The last confirmed sighting of this bird was in Myanmar during 1941. It used to live in the grasslands of Mayanmar, but due to commercialization, human encroachment and agricultural activity this bird became extinct.
"The degradation of these vast grasslands had led many to consider this subspecies of Jerdon's babbler extinct," Colin Poole, told CBS News. "This discovery not only proves that the species still exists in Myanmar but that the habitat can still be found as well."
The discovery of the Jerdon's babbler confirms that the species along with its habitation are present and not extinct. The birds spotted looked healthy and fit, and the blood samples of these birds have been sent for testing to confirm that it is the same Jerdson's babbler found in the 1860's. Presently, scientists are in a debate over whether to consider Jerdon's babbler as a species or a subspecies. If the blood results are positive then this species will be exclusive to Myanmar.
Now measures and efforts are being taken to conserve this bird before it faces extinction again.
