Some of the World's Rarest Birds

Asian crested ibis

The Asian crested ibis once thrived in Russia, Japan, and China, but its population has shrunk to about 250.

Red-crowned Crane

In the spring and summer, the Red-crowned Crane breeds in Siberia and occasionally in northeastern Mongolia. Normally the crane lays 2 eggs, with only one surviving. Later, in the fall, it migrates in flocks to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and other countries in East Asia to spend the winter.

Marvelous Spatuletail

Peru's marvelous spatuletail. A stunning hummingbird restricted to just two sites, the bird's population is estimated to be less than a thousand.

Orange-bellied parrots

Orange-bellied parrots breeds only in southwestern Tasmania and migrates to southeastern Australia in the winter, where agriculture and development are crowding out its habitat. Probably fewer than 150 animals remain in the wild, according to BirdLife International.

kakapo

One of the rarest birds of all is New Zealand's kakapo. Only 124 animals remain in the wild—the species has been largely wiped out by introduced predatory mammals such as feral cats.