Scientists Just Spotted This Large, Colorful Pigeon That No One Has Seen in 140 Years

Scientists from the American Bird Conservancy have rediscovered a rare pheasant pigeon that has not been documented for more than a century.

The rare black-naped pheasant-pigeon was captured in camera traps on the island.

According to the American Bird Conservancy, the pheasant-pigeon is a large, ground-dwelling pigeon with a "broad and compressed tail" and only lives on a small island off the east coast of the country.

The first photos and videos of the bird in more than a century have been taken.

The director of the Lost Birds program at the American Bird Conservancy said seeing the images was like finding a mythical creature.

He said it was the kind of moment you dream about as a birdwatcher.

The co-leader of the expedition team said that when the cameras were set out, there was less than a one percent chance that a bird would walk past them.

The rediscovery is an incredible beacon of hope for other birds that have been lost for a long time.

As well as giving hope for searches for other lost species, the detailed information collected by the team has provided a basis for the preservation of this extremely rare bird.

The original article was published by Business Insider.