There are more than 10,000 different species of birds around the world. Now, add one more to that list.
Scientists have discovered yet another new bird species, the Mentocrex beankaensis, in the dry forests of Madagascar. The Mentocrex beankaensis is a type of rail, a small to medium-sized bird typically found in areas with dense vegetation.
The species is not exactly new, since scientists have known about it for decades, but they have not been able to find a specimen until recently. Scientists say that the bird is extremely rare and difficult to find.
The Beanka Forest, where the bird was found, is a very remote area in western Madagascar. A drastic size of the dry forests in Madagascar has disappeared since humans arrived on the island about 2,500 years ago.
Conservationists are using the new discovery of the rail and other species as another reason why it’s important to preserve the forest.
Many are hoping that diehard birders who want to check off every species will increase the ecotourism to the area and encourage the Beanka Forest’s preservation.
Additionally, what makes this discovery so fascinating is that there are not many new bird species out there that haven’t been identified. By some accounts, there may be only a dozen left that have yet to be discovered.
