| Below is a subjective list of some of the World's Most Sought-after Species to see
in the wild. Most are extremely Rare which adds to their allure, while others are just fantastically
beautiful creatures that capture our Imagination. |
|
Species
|
Country
|
Reason
|
| Northern Cassowary |
PNG |
Fewer than 10,000 of these amazing flightless birds remain. (VU) |
| Little Spotted Kiwi |
New Zealand |
Any Kiwi would be great to see, but there may only be about 1,000 of these left now. (VU) |
| Galapagos Penguin |
Galapagos Islands |
The smallest of penguins and possibly the closest related to the original Penguin. Only about 1,000 left. (EN) |
| Amsterdam Albatross |
Amsterdam Island |
One of the most beautiful Albatrosses, it is now Critically Endangered with perhaps 100 left |
| Crested Ibis |
China |
The bright red face capture one's attention immediately. Only about 100 left. (EN) |
| California Condor |
USA |
Re-introduction to the Wild have helped to stave off Extinction of one of the World's most majestic Species. (CR) |
| Stellers Sea-Eagle |
E Russia |
One of the most powerful and majestic of the Birds-of-Prey, only about 5,000 remain today. (VU) |
| Philippines Eagle |
Philippines |
Another of the truly majestic Eagles of the World. Only about 250 remain as forest habitat continues to be cut down. (CR) |
| Maleo |
Philippines |
Numbers are declining fast for this characteristic species. A much sought-after bird. (VU) |
| Blyth's Tragopan |
India, Bhutan, Myanmar |
One of the most colourful and intricate patterns on any species. Fewer than 10,000 remain. (VU) |
| Reeve's Pheasant |
China |
Exquisite, long tail feathers make this one of the World's most stunning Species. (VU) |
| Crested Argus |
Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia |
Nearly 2m long tail feathers make this species one of the World's most spectacular Pheasants. (VU) |
| Plains-wanderer |
Australia |
One of Australia's most sought-after birds with less than 8,000 remaining. (EN) |
| Shoebill |
Sudan, Uganda, Zambia |
One of Africa's distinct species and prized species to see in the wild. |
| Whooping Crane |
USA, Canada |
The World's rarest Crane with less than 300 (and just 14 in 1938). Re-introduction in Florida is helping stave off extinction. (EN) |
| White-winged Flufftail |
Ethiopia, South Africa |
The rarest of the flufftails and one of Africa's most endangered species. (EN) |
| Takahe |
New Zealand |
Found naturally only in the most isolated mountains of the Southern Alps. Re-introduction to 'safe' islands may save extinction. (EN) |
| Kagu |
New Caledonia |
Fewer than 1,000 remain in isolated patches of forest. A unique species and Family. (EN) |
| Eskimo Curlew |
Canada, Argentina |
May possibly already be extinct, but would certainly be a great re-discovery were some to still survive. |
| Spoon-billed Sandpiper |
E Russia, Korea, Vietnam |
It's unique bill amongst waders make it a highly sought-after species. Fewer than 10,000 remain. (VU) |
| Black Stilt |
New Zealand |
Fewer than 50 remain making it one of NZ's most endangered species. (CR) |
| Lava Gull |
Galapagos Islands |
A sooty-black gull that is poorly known. Less than 800 remain. (VU) |
| Mindoro Bleeding-Heart |
Philippines |
A beautiful dove with less than 250 remaining in the wild. (CR) |
| Victoria Crowned Pigeon |
Papua New Guinea |
Crowned Pigeons are among the most spectacular and distinctive pigeons. Only 7,000 remain. (VU) |
| Tooth-billed Pigeon |
Samoa |
Distinctive and highly sought-after. Only 2,000 remain. (EN) |
| Night Parrot |
Australia |
Possibly the world's most mysterious parrot. Unseen since 1990. (CR) |
| Kakapo |
New Zealand |
All individuals re-introduced to safe islands. (CR) |
| Spix's Macaw |
Brazil |
Probably extinct in the Wild. Only hope remains in re-introduction. (EW) |
| Hyacinth Macaw |
Brazil |
The largest of Brazils Blue Macaws, all of which are Rare or Extinct in the Wild. (CR) |
| Snowy Owl |
North America, Europe, Asia |
Although widespread, it remains an icon-species in the Birding world. |
| Marvellous Spatuletail |
Peru |
Without doubt the world's most spectaular Hummingbird and known from just 2 locations and fewer than 1,000 individuals. (EN) |
| Colourful Puffleg |
Columbia |
Brilliant and irredescent and known from just one location. (CR) |
| Resplendant Quetzal |
S Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala |
One of the World's most beautiful birds, with a display-dance to match. |
| Ivory-billed Woodpecker |
USA, Cuba |
Recently rediscovered, re-igniting a huge interest in Birding and Conservation. Yet to be relocated. (CR) |
| Giant Antpitta |
Ecuador, Columbia |
A peculiar looking species and the largest of the Antpittas. (EN) |
| Bare-necked Umbrellabird |
Panama, Costa Rica |
Spectacular, large patch of red skin hanging from the throat make this a bizarrely attractive Species. (VU) |
| Three-wattled Bellbird |
Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua |
Striking long, fleshy wattles hang from the base of the bill giving a unique appearance. Rare in the Wild. (VU) |
| Gurney's Pitta |
Thailand |
Pittas and Birds-of-Paradise are possibly the most sought-after Families because of their dazzling colours and scarcity. Gurney's Pitta has less than 20 remaining individuals. (CR) |
| Alberts Lyrebird |
Australia |
The elaborate display dances and rarity make this species highly sought-after. (VU) |
| Bulo burti Boubou |
Somalia |
Known from just the original specimen that was caught and released. (CR) |
| Mount Kupe Bushshrike |
Cameroun |
One of Camerouns most difficult and highly prized species to find. (CR) |
| Helmet Vanga |
Madagascar |
Vangas are unique to Madagascar and all are extremely beautiful and characteristic. (VU) |
| Grey-necked Picathartes |
Cameroun, Gabon |
Both Picathartes species are among Africa's top 5 species to find in the Wild. (VU) |
| Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher |
Seychelles |
Beautiful and Rare with only about 200 remaining in the wild. (CR) |
| Regent Honeyeater |
Australia |
Australia's most sought-after Honeyeater |
| Gouldian Finch |
Australia |
Brilliantly coloured, Rare and highly sought-after. (EN) |
| Blue Bird-of-Paradise |
Papua New-Guinea |
Any Bird-of-Paradise is sought-after, but this is possibly the best. Males hang upside-down while displaying a sea of glowing blue feathers. |
| Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise |
Papua New-Guinea |
Probably the most remote and spectacular of the Birds-of-Paradise. During courtship, the males bare crown glows blue. |
| Andean Cock-of-the-Rock |
Columbia, Venezuela, Bolivia |
One of the most beautiful birds of South America |