The black-naped pheasant-pigeon has not been seen in 140 years.
A team in September captured footage of the species in the forest of a tiny island.
A run-in with pirates was one of the highlights of the effort.
John said it felt like finding a mythical creature.
The researchers hope the discovery will save the species.
The team had tried to locate the pigeon before. The three people who searched for the bird didn't find anything.
The team reached villages on the western slope of Mount Kilkerran, which is the island's highest peak.
The hunters who had seen and heard the pheasant-pigeon were the first people we met.
There was a promising lead from one local. He saw the pheasant-pigeon several times in an area with steep ridges and valleys.
After setting up cameras in the area, the researchers captured the bird just days before they were due to leave the island.
Jordan said that he was stunned by the photo of the bird walking past the camera.
Scientists have not documented the long- lost bird in over a century.
It is the kind of moment you dream about your whole life as a birdwatcher.
Scientists don't know a lot about the species, but they think the population on the island is decreasing.
The team hopes the information they have gathered can be used to protect the birds.
The researchers had to outrun pirates on their way back from Normanby.
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