There's this certain bird known as the recurve-billed bushbird. It's understandable if this is the first time you've heard of it because it was last seen some time back in the 60s. Scientists for decades were unable to spot it due to its limited range and remote habitats, thinking its species has finally gone extinct.

Quite interestingly, a conservationist from nonprofit organization Fundación ProAves found a live bushbird in a 250-acre reserve next to the Torcoroma Holy Sanctuary near the Colombian town of Ocana and was able to photograph it. The forest has been under the care of Catholic Church authorities ever since 1709.

"As more and more remote areas are being settled, the bushbird reminds us how important it is to conserve as much natural habitat as we can. Who knows what wonderful biodiversity is being destroyed before it has had a chance to be discovered?" commented American Bird Conservancy member Paul Salaman.

It is needless to say that endangered animal species, or any other species, are being threatened because of extreme deforestation and wildfires for agriculture and grazing. Aside from the smiling bushbird, Fundación ProAves was also able to take a snapshot of the extremely rare Perija parakeet, of which only 30 to 50 individuals likely survive.

Lots of scientifically exciting things are happening in Peru nowadays - there was that discovery of a dog cemetery, the discovery of an ancient Peruvian solar observatory, and of course their is that brain museum you could visit once the Peruvian tour gets a tad too boring. Now, an extremely rare species of a tiny owl has been seen in the wild for the first time. This was confirmed by the American Bird Conservancy.

The owlet which has long whiskers and dubbed as Xenoglaux, is said to be one of the world's smallest owls (no bigger than your fist) and was first discovered in 1976. It was re-spotted in the wild last February by researchers, in fact, they encountered the owlet three times during the day and they recorded its calls frequently at night.

According to David Geale of the Association of Andean Ecosystems, "seeing the long-whiskered owlet is a huge thrill...Its population is estimated to be less than 1,000 birds and possibly as few as 250". He further explained that Xenoglaux is threatened by the rapid destruction of its forest habitat.