This Colorful Parrot Had Been Seen Only Once Over the Past Century. Birders Just Rediscovered It in an Unexplored Indonesian Forest

Context

Published just last week, this Smithsonian report follows an expedition into the remote highlands of Buru, Indonesia. The discovery of the blue-fronted lorikeet—a bird essentially missing for a century—serves as more than just a data point for ornithologists. It touches on the persistent mystery of the natural world and the quiet relief that comes when a species thought to be a ghost is found thriving. The piece looks past the arduous trek to find a deeper sense of hope for biodiversity in forests still largely hidden from view.

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