Jerdon’s Courser Rediscovered in Southern India After 20 Years

A Jerdon’s courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, has been identified on the east coast of southern India. A small team of Indian birders documented the species in August 2025, marking the first confirmed sighting in two decades.

The rediscovery occurred after weeks of research into potential habitats. The team primarily listened for the bird’s distinctive two-note call, successfully capturing it on the first night of observation. Information on the Jerdon’s courser remains limited; there is no documented area of occupancy, population estimates, or information on subpopulations. The species was initially believed extinct for much of the 20th century before being rediscovered in 1986 near Lankamalai, India.

Subsequent detections have been sporadic, largely through audio recordings. A camera trap captured an image of a Jerdon’s courser in 2004. The species is not migratory, indicating it likely remains within its endemic range. Scientists describe the Jerdon’s courser as “poorly known,” with most data obtained through indirect methods like camera traps and tracking strips. This ground bird possesses long legs for quick movement across rough terrain and large eyes for hunting insects.

Experts estimate the current population to be no more than 50 mature individuals. Documenting the bird’s calls and behaviors is crucial for identifying potential additional populations and informing conservation efforts, particularly given habitat loss due to expanding human settlements. This rediscovery parallels similar recoveries of species like the white-tailed eagle and the recent sightings of the double-striped thick-knee in Texas and the night parrot.