New bird species discovered in rainforests of Borneo

London, Jan 15 (ANI): Scientists at the University of Leeds have discovered a new species of bird in the rainforests of Borneo.

The discovery was made by Richard Webster, Leeds University biologist, while birdwatching on the 35m above ground canopy walkway of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

He saw that the spectacled flowerpecker, a small, wren-sized, grey bird, was feeding on some flowering mistletoe in a tree. On one sighting it was heard singing.

The bird has white markings around its eyes, belly and breast. It has not yet been given a scientific name because so little is known about it.

Dr David Edwards, a tropical ecologist at the University of Leeds, identified the bird as a new species from photographs.

"It's like a dream come true. I've spent all these years, decades, watching birds and all you want to do really is discover a new species to science," the BBC quoted him as saying.

"All that tropical field work has paid off, all the mosquitoes, the leeches, the rainstorms and the mud have been worthwhile," he added.

The researchers caught sight of the birds several times in the days following its first appearance.

The findings are published in Oriental Bird Club's journal BirdingASIA. (ANI)