Montana State University Researchers Capture First Photos and Video of Missing Bird in Papua New Guinea

(September 10, 2024  Press Release)

A bird undocumented for more than fifty years has been photographed for the first time on the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea by Montana State University researchers.

The chessboard black-and-white bird called the New Britain Thrush (Zoothera talaseae) has eluded scientists for decades, and was considered a Search for Lost Birds species – there hasn’t been definite proof of its existence since at least 1999 (and possibly 1972!). That changed this July when researchers captured the first-ever photos and video of the bird during an expedition to the island’s rugged, rain-soaked interior.

“It was such a joy catching this ghost bird on camera. The chances of seeing the New Britain Thrush felt tiny, so I was shocked and super excited to get these results.” says Jason Gregg, a master’s student in the Department of Ecology at Montana State University and member of the expedition. “My favorite part is now getting to share these images with the world.” Gregg led the 2022 scientific re-discovery of the Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon, and has made it his mission to document other missing birds in Papua New Guinea.

Working closely with the customary landowners of the area, the Mangsing-Wongou Tribe, the team climbed to over three thousand feet and set camera traps to document secretive birds living on the forest floor. That strategy paid off, revealing a hidden world of species beneath the canopy, including the thrush.

Expedition leader Ethan Linck, an Assistant Professor at Montana State University who has worked in Papua New Guinea for over 16 years, says the finding highlights the importance of collaborations with Indigenous landowners. “The Mansing-Wongou consider the high ridges of the Whiteman Range to be sacred, and we are beyond grateful to have been their guests in such a magic place,” Linck says. “Their deep knowledge of these unique rainforests and partnership in the field in the face of challenging conditions was crucial to the success of our trip. It was also a lot of fun.”

The sighting comes as New Britain remains on the front line of oil palm expansion. Forests on the island are being destroyed to grow the monocrop, and the loss of habitat threatens one of the richest assemblages of birds in the Pacific, with 30 bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

“We drove for hours through oil palm plantations to reach the mountains,” says Gregg. “It was a wake-up call. Oil palm is eating New Britain’s forests on a massive scale.”

In a bright spot for the thrush, the area’s landowners, or papa graun, are committed to preserving its forest home and steering clear of oil palm. Vincent Patuong, chairman of the proposed Whiteman Range Conservation Area, worked with the MSU researchers to lead the expedition. “This news makes me very proud and happy”, Patuong says. “We hope the team will come back to expand on their work.” Patuong has previously helped scientists from the New Guinea Binatang Research Center to assess butterfly and fish diversity on his land, and says biodiversity surveys have been important in the push to obtain a formal conservation designation. The MSU researchers hope their expedition—and particularly their documentation of the New Britain Thrush—will aid the tribe in their mission.  

The team caught sight of two other “lost” bird species during the expedition, but they disappeared before they could capture any photos or audio recordings. It’s a sign that while New Britain’s lowlands are on the front line of forest loss in the Southwest Pacific, birds are hanging on in the island’s higher elevations. The New Britain Thrush is likely safe, for now, but as oil palm expands, its future is anything but assured.

Inquiries about the MSU expedition should be directed to both Jason Gregg ([email protected]) and Ethan Linck ([email protected]).

MSU Researchers, Jason Gregg and Dr. Ethan Linck, with team in Papua New Guinea

Researchers and birders interested in visiting the area are encouraged to contact Patuong through the Whiteman Range Conservation Area’s Coordinator, Friar Patrick Pose (WhatsApp: +67574056038; Email: [email protected]; Mail: P.O. Box 537, Kimbe, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea).