First Photo of Rare Yellow-Crested Crested Crest Taken by Ornithologist

of Yellow-bellied Shrike (Prionops alberti) It has not been seen for about 20 years and is listed as a “lost bird” by the American Bird Conservancy.

First described in 1933, the shrike is a member of the bird family. Bangidae.

Also known as the King Albert Shrike, this bird is distinguished by its black plumage and bright yellow crown.

This species is endemic to the mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The yellow shrike is endemic to the western slopes of the Albertine Rift in Central Africa, an area that has been largely inaccessible due to war and security issues, but has recently become safe to visit. '' said Dr. Michael Harvey.ornithologist University of Texas El Paso.

Dr. Harvey and his colleagues made the discovery during a six-week expedition to the Itombwe Massif, a mountain range in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“It was a shocking experience to encounter these birds,” Dr Harvey said.

“I knew they might be possible here, but I wasn't prepared for how grand and unique it would be.”

The ornithologists walked more than 121 kilometers (75 miles) deep into the Itumbwe massif, studying birds, amphibians and reptiles along the way.

While exploring the cloud forest on the side of a mountain, they encountered a striking black bird with a bright yellow “helmet”, the long-eared shrike.

“These birds appeared to be a fairly noisy and active flock in the mid-levels of the forest,” they said.

A total of about 18 birds were spotted at three locations during the expedition.

“This gives us hope that perhaps this species still maintains a reasonably healthy population in the remote forests of this region,” Dr Harvey said.

“However, mining, logging, and deforestation for agriculture are encroaching deep into the forests of the Itombwe Mountains.”

“We are in discussions with other researchers and conservation groups about further efforts to protect forests and shrike in this region.”

“Now is a great time to protect these tropical forests so species like the long-eared shrike are not lost before they are known and studied.”