Nature Watch: First Photo of the “Smiling Bird”
If only every portrait subject would smile as easily as this one. Behold the rare recurve-billed bushbird, which hasn't been seen for 40 years but was recently rediscovered by scientists in Colombia. This new image, taken by a conservationist with the non-profit Fundacion ProAves, is the first ever taken of a live specimen. The bird is known for its curving beak, which makes it seem as if it is smiling. It was thought to have disappeared due to deforestation that has destroyed much of its habita
If only every portrait subject would smile as easily as this one. Behold the rare recurve-billed bushbird, which hasn’t been seen for 40 years but was recently rediscovered by scientists in Colombia. This new image, taken by a conservationist with the non-profit Fundacion ProAves, is the first ever taken of a live specimen. The bird is known for its curving beak, which makes it seem as if it is smiling. It was thought to have disappeared due to deforestation that has destroyed much of its habitat. Knowing the bird is still around is worth smiling about.
—David Schonauer