Extremely Rare Bird Photographed for First Time - Then Eaten
A species of bird so rare it was thought perhaps to be extinct was captured on video and still images in the Phillipines province of Nueva Vizcaya… right before it was cooked and eaten.
The Worcester’s buttonquail (Turnix worcesteri) lives only in the Phillipines, but had not been seen in many years, and was previously only known through illustration based on dead specimens collected centuries ago. One wild live buttonquail was inadvertently filmed in a mountainous area during the making of a documentary on the traditional methods of bird-trapping in northern Luzon. But neither the local crew nor the bird-trappers at the time of the filming understood how rare the bird was, so it was sold at a poultry market, then cooked and eaten.
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The bird had already been consumed by the time its image was noticed in a viewing of the bird-trapping documentary by a member of the World Bird Club of the Phillipines. The WBCP reported the posthumous discovery of the extremely scarce bird. Mike Lu, the club’s president said: “We are ecstatic that this rarely seen species was photographed by accident. It may be the only photo of this poorly known bird. But I also feel sad that the locals do not value the biodiversity around them and that this bird was sold for only P10 and headed for the cooking pot”. P10 is about twenty American cents.
Desmond Allen was the WBCP member who was watching the appropriately named documentary “Bye-Bye Birdie” when he spotted the buttonquail in a still image among the credits. Mr. Allen is a life-long birder, with 50 years of experience. He maintains an extensive collection of bird calls on his ipod. The trapping documentary is viewable on YouTube via the producer’s blog.
The extremely rare quail is listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species as ‘data deficient’, which means there is not enough data available to determine an animal’s conservation status.
Image Credit: Arnel Telesforo
Good job..
aww he’s so cute as well!
“I am a filipino. You guys are just well off.”
Mentioning that does not negate the fact that you generalized Filipinos in your earlier statement. In fact,you did it again.
I can see the points raised by your earlier statements and also those of who replied, both of which are valid. But really the ad hominus attacks on both sides doesn’t help the discussion.
Also, anger makes the divide much bigger. Open your eyes.
Be well
WTF??! This debate isn’t about Filipino pride! I’m Filipino but that’s not the issue. There is a real and important issue here and it’s about conservation. The Filipino government not investing in the right areas/industries. Education, science and conservation aren’t a priority to the people in power who are short-sighted and care only about immediate economic growth and personal gains. We’ve got to promote education and vote for people that actually give a shit to make a real change. We have a chance in 2010 - BE SMART!
ZOMG!!11! What an idiot… well, hope it tasted good! LOLz!
The bird didn’t look all that old… It must have had a parent that was alive recently. Hopefully the species isn’t extinct. I feel for the unfortunate in the Philippines, but I also feel for the breed..
**** the bird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one less piece of **** to worry about when i park my aston martin in an open area.
one more thing. that bird is damn ugly. good riddance!!!!
– But I also feel sad that the locals do not value the biodiversity around them and that this bird was sold for only P10 and headed for the cooking pot”. P10 is about twenty American cents.–
Yeah, the privilege of eating a rare bird like that should have cost the poor sap maybe 20Gs. Where’s your priorities, man.
I bet it Tasted like Bald Eagle