A rare nocturnal bird — Jerdon’s runner (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), which had not been seen since 1991, was recorded again in August 2025 on the east coast of India.
This stealthy species lives in sparse bushland with open areas, where it easily hides from pursuers.
The sound recording of its characteristic two-note signal with exact coordinates and time helped to confirm the existence of the species, which belongs to the endangered species category with a population of less than 250 adult specimens.
The research team used automated sound detectors and standardized protocols, which made it possible to reliably differentiate the Jerdon runner’s call from other sounds and rule out errors.
The discovery expands the known range of this extremely rare species and helps to develop effective measures for its conservation.
