10 Rarest Birds in the World & Where To Find Them

Birds are arguably the most beautiful creatures in the world, with plumes of bright colors and aerodynamics that awe the world.

Sadly, many of these beautiful creatures are going extinct due to human activity, global warming, deforestation, and other world-changing conditions.

Researchers reveal that one in six species is threatened with extinction, driving them to extreme rarity.¹

Read on to discover the top ten rarest birds in the world, including the South Philippine dwarf kingfisher, kakapo, and New Caledonian owlet-nightjar, and where to find them.

Also, find out about conservation and breeding efforts worldwide trying to protect our feathery friends.

Without further ado, let us dive in!

The Rarest Birds in the World

10. California Condor

North America’s largest bird is the magnificent but critically endangered California Condor.

These magnificent gliders travel worldwide but mostly inhabit the deserts of central and southern California, where they nest on cliffs to feast on the carcasses of animals.

The largely bald vulture became extinct in the wild in 1987.

Remarkably, breeding populations now exist in the wild following the reintroduction of captured individuals to the coastal mountains of California, southern Utah, northern Arizona, and northern Baja California in Mexico.

The U.S. implemented a conservation process, possibly one of its most expensive animal conservation projects, costing over 35 million dollars and averaging two million dollars annually in 2007.

A couple of U.S. National Parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park, Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center, and Pinnacles National Park, present sights of one of the world’s rare birds.²

Related: Weird Birds – The Most Bizarre & Strangest Species In The World

9. Imperial Amazon

One might feel that it is difficult to detect the Imperial Amazon because their plumage camouflages them well; however, their rarity comes down to more than their camouflage.

The Imperial Amazon is a critically endangered species endemic to the Caribbean’s Dominica, a significant animal in the country that appears on its flag.

As of 2019, about fifty mature individuals remained in the wild. Remarkably, Dominica’s Forestry, the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF), and Wildlife and Parks Division protect the Central and Northern Forest Reserve, where the Imperial Amazon exists.

The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a great place to find the Imperial Amazon.

8. Bali Myna

The Bali myna is draped in white, with wings and tail plumes black at the tip and blue skin around its eyes; undoubtedly, this medium-sized bird presents a stunning sight.

Bali mynas can be seen in the mountains near Bali’s north coast. The birds typically group in flocks of twenty to thirty, occupying tree holes and using leaves to line their nests.

Termites, caterpillars, other insects, small reptiles, and worms constitute the Bali myna’s diet. They are a monogamous breed, as their nest is home to the eggs they have each year.

One can find the Bali myna in the Bali Barat National Park in Indonesia, where it was reintroduced to re-establish a population in the wild.

7. Cebu Flowerpecker

The Cebu flowerpecker is endemic and restricted to the Philippines’ Cebu Islands. While the bird is rated “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN, it was thought extinct until 1992 when a population emerged in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

The bird’s supposed extinction was attributed to habitat loss, as only 0.03% of its original forest habitat remained in the 1990s.

Their scientific name, Dicaeum quadricolor, is befitting, considering the male’s blue, red, white, and yellow plumage.

The Cebu flowerpecker is upsettingly rare, with a few over 100 individuals in the wild. Remarkably, efforts are in place to ensure the continuity of this species.

The Tabanan Forest, Babayungan Forest in Dalaguete, and the Nug-as Forest in Alcoy, Cebu, Philippines, are some of the best places to find the Cebu flowerpecker. 

6. New Caledonian Owlet Nightjar

The New Caledonian owlet nightjar is one of the world’s most mysterious but rarest birds, perhaps because its voice is unknown, unlike other owlet nightjar species that make whistling and churring sounds.

Before the twentieth century, only two New Caledonian owlet nightjars were estimated, with the number increasing to a few by 1915.

Even now, less than fifty New Caledonian owlet nightjars remain in the wild, and their population keeps declining. 

5. Blue-Eyed Ground Dove

The blue-eyed ground dove is one of the rarest dove species in the world, with an extremely small population.

The bird is endemic to Brazil’s Cerrado region but was thought extinct for many years until a rediscovered population emerged in 2015.

These birds are admired for their striking blue eyes, complemented by blue spots on their wings.

A protected area in Serra das Araras Ecological Station is the best place to find the blue-eyed ground dove.

4. Kākāpō

The kākāpō is not as big as the ostrich or some of the world’s largest flightless birds, but it is a large, flightless, ground-dwelling parrot endemic to New Zealand.

While it is a flightless bird, the kākāpō is an outstanding climber with d strong legs to support its ground-dwelling ability.

Human arrival in New Zealand negatively affected kākāpō populations in the country, with only fifty individuals left in the 1990s.

In 2022, there are no kākāpōs remaining in the wild, but the population increased to 252 birds after several conservation efforts over the years.³

The Whenua Hou, Hauturu Nature Reserves, and Anchor Island are destinations to find the kākāpō.⁴ 

3. Rufous-headed Hornbill

Know by several names like Walden’s hornbill, Visayan wrinkled hornbill, or writhed-billed hornbill, this species of hornbill is primarily characterized by a bony casque that

extends from the top of its wrinkly red-orange bills. Rufous-headed hornbills are endemic to Panay Islands in the Philippines; however, small groups of these birds, like most hornbill species, reside on the islands of Negro.

The Walden’s hornbill builds its nest in naturally occurring or man-made hollows in tree trunks, procreating slowly, like other hornbills, which could be a reason for its possible extinction and rarity.

Their diet consists mainly of fruits, including prey like snails, beetles, and caterpillars.

One might find a few rufous-headed hornbills in the Central Panay Mountain Range, but in captivity in the Mari-it Wildlife and Conservation Park and Talarak Foundation, all in the Philippines. 

2. Madagascar Pochard

The Madagascar Pochard is a duck species once considered extinct until just a few feet away from Lake Alaotra; at Lake Matsaborimena, a few Madagascar pochard sightings in a long time came into the record in 2006.

Lakes, pools, and marshes with open-water and vegetation-filled islets should be habitats for the Madagascan Pochard.

However, only a few individuals exist in the wild in Lake Sofia, Madagascar, thanks to breeding and conservation efforts; others are reared in captivity at the captive breeding center in Antsohihy.

The Madagascan Pochard frequently appears alone, in pairs, or in compact groups of three. Insects make the Madagascan Pochard’s primary menu.

However, since it eats mostly by diving, it likely ingests seeds and aquatic plant components.

1. Stresemann’s Bristlefront

Stresemann’s Bristlefront, native to Brazil, is very close to extinction. This songbird inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland woodland but only occurs in the Mata do Passarinho Reserve.

Due to its exceedingly reduced population, most likely below fifty, little is known about its ecology and behavior.⁵

However, researchers have observed that the bird forages in pairs and feeds on insects, and its song is similar to its counterpart, the slaty bristlefront, but in a lower pitch.

Stresemann’s Bristlefront has a small ecological range, occurring within the Mata do Passarinho’s fourteen square mile forest, a habitat suffering from rapid deforestation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

A colorful bird on your lawn could be the most beautiful sight sometimes. Other times, a bird’s songs could be the most beautiful tune you hear.

Our feathery friends differ in species; some might disappear if conservative measures are ignored, as they are already rare.

However, it takes conservative efforts and supports to ensure the continuity of these birds as human activities, climate change, and other challenges force them into extinction.

We implore all to support the existence of the world’s rarest birds and do their best not to endanger species with little concern.

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