Definition

A large, flightless New Zealand rail bird with blue and green plumage, thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1948; also called a takahe.

Example Usage

The notornis is one of the rarest birds in the world, with only a few hundred remaining in protected reserves.

Origin

From Greek 'notos' (back) + 'ornis' (bird), literally 'back bird', referring to its posture

Fun Fact

The notornis was rediscovered after 50 years of being presumed extinct, making it one of the most celebrated examples of a 'living fossil' in modern conservation history.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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