Inaccessible bird species (1 Viewer)

[Andy Adcock]

Here are some more potential additions to the list, including almost all new proposals from this forum, plus some more that I've come up with.
I'm a little hesitant about the Venezuela birds... Mainly because there's so many of them😅, but can someone shed more information about how dangerous it would be to travel to Venezuela at the moment? Imagine someone who only needs to clear up a handful of Venezuelan endemics they missed on previous trips.
The list potential additions include a number of birds that are likely extinct or extinct in the wild, but not marked as extinct in the IOC 13.1 spreadsheet, therefore they must be included here.
When I find a little more time, I will check all provisional designations, in the meantime I'd be happy to receive any feedback if you spot any errors.

Not sure it's actually dangerous, it's the fact that there is little food in the shops, miles long queues for petrol, although tourist vehicles are or were, allowed to jump the queue and I'm not sure how many hotels have been able to stay open.

We were there in 2017, our tourist vehicle was allowed to queue jump for petrol as I said, there was military everywhere but we never felt unsafe anywhere though it's got a lot worse since then.

 

[temmie]

Possible additions:
Rufous-fronted laughingthrush - extinct in the wild or the last locality is kept secret to protect it from bird trappers,

I know people who have seen this bird, at the classic locations, in 2022. So I reckon there is a fair chance to see one, and all it takes is going there, and asking around for info or hiring a professional birding guide who knows the whereabouts.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I know people who have seen this bird, at the classic locations, in 2022. So I reckon there is a fair chance to see one, and all it takes is going there, and asking around for info or hiring a professional birding guide who knows the whereabouts.

Wow, I'm shocked, I saw small groups quite easily in 2001.

 

[raymie]

Wow, I'm shocked, I saw small groups quite easily at [removed] in 2001.

With Southeast Asian songbirds we probably shouldn't reveal any locations online like this, even if "everybody" knows them.

 

[jurek]

Hmm, let's not overdo it, Indonesian trappers don't need Birdforum to know it. But good that the laughingthrush it is not so hopeless. For Javan green magpie, conservationists are unable to locate any wild population anymore - but maybe they need to ask locals more.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I know people who have seen this bird, at the classic locations, in 2022. So I reckon there is a fair chance to see one, and all it takes is going there, and asking around for info or hiring a professional birding guide who knows the whereabouts.

You didn't need a guide to see them, just walking on the only trail on the mountain and you'd just bump in to them.

 

[Chris Sharpe]

I'm a little hesitant about the Venezuela birds... Mainly because there's so many of them😅, but can someone shed more information about how dangerous it would be to travel to Venezuela at the moment? Imagine someone who only needs to clear up a handful of Venezuelan endemics they missed on previous trips.

Venezuela is not particularly dangerous at the moment if you're not on the regime's hit list, but infrastructure has crumbled, there is little gasoline outside Caracas and it is currently very expensive (compared with US or Europe) due to economic mismanagement and money laundering. Some of the areas of endemism would be difficult to visit at the moment (e.g. Paria, Sierra de Lema [=La Escalera]), but others are feasible. I can put you in touch with someone who can advise and arrange if you wish to go.

 

[Steve Lister]

Venezuela is not particularly dangerous at the moment if you're not on the regime's hit list, but infrastructure has crumbled, there is little gasoline outside Caracas and it is currently very expensive (compared with US or Europe) due to economic mismanagement and money laundering. Some of the areas of endemism would be difficult to visit at the moment (e.g. Paria, Sierra de Lema [=La Escalera]), but others are feasible. I can put you in touch with someone who can advise and arrange if you wish to go.

I am glad I had the pleasure of being guided by you in the good old days Chris!

 

[Chris Sharpe]

I am glad I had the pleasure of being guided by you in the good old days Chris!

Very kind of you, Steve! That was a great trip and, in retrospect, they certainly were the good old days. Still absolutely wonderful.

 

[Maffong]

Here's a revised list of inaccessible species. I've retouched the definitions a bit and added information to all category A, C and D birds, plus the rejected ones. I'll look through the cat. B birds soon. As always, I'm happy to get corrected or to add further proposals to the list.

What species are currently mostly or entirely inaccessible to world birders?
There are four categories:
A) Birds whose whereabouts are unknown or not understood.
B) Birds that require concerted, self-organized expeditions to otherwise inaccessible locations.
C) Birds that require a complicated permitting process to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
D) Birds that are currently inaccessible because they occur only in dangerous regions.

Here is a possible, preliminary list. Feel free to add more!

A) Birds whose whereabouts are unknown or not understood.
751 Alagoas Curassow (Mitu mitu); Extinct in the wild
1215 Dulit Partridge (Rhizothera dulitensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1298 Edwards's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi); Likely extinct in the wild
1579 Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1634 New Caledonian Nightjar (Eurostopodus exul); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1715 Cayenne Nightjar (Setopagis maculosa); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1880 Nechisar Nightjar (Caprimulgus solala); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1902 Prigogine's Nightjar (Caprimulgus prigoginei); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1992 New Caledonian Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles savesi); Poorly understood, no recent reports
2601 Letitia's Thorntail (Discosura letitiae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
2757 Turquoise-throated Puffleg (Eriocnemis godini); Poorly understood, no recent reports
4324 Purple-winged Ground Dove (Paraclaravis geoffroyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4473 Mindoro Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba platenae); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4773 Negros Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus arcanus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
4955 Colombian Crake (Neocrex colombiana); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4959 Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5063 Brown-banded Rail (Lewinia mirifica); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5089 New Caledonian Rail (Cabalus lafresnayanus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5167 Makira Woodhen (Gallinula silvestris); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5535 Buff-breasted Buttonquail (Turnix olivii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5540 Worcester's Buttonquail (Turnix worcesteri); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5847 Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis); Likely extinct
5850 Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris); Likely extinct
6058 Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus); Likely extinct
7304 Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
7549 Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis buergersi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8034 Itombwe Owl (Tyto prigoginei); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8270 Pernambuco Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium mooreorum); Likely extinct
8345 Annobon Scops Owl (Otus feae); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8375 Siau Scops Owl (Otus siaoensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
8460 Maned Owl (Jubula lettii); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8512 Shelley's Eagle-Owl (Ketupa shelleyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
9362 Guam Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus); Extinct in the wild
9457 Sangihe Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx sangirensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
10987 Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis); Likely extinct
10990 Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis); Likely extinct
11799 Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii); Extinct in the wild
12189 Blue-fronted Lorikeet (Charmosynopsis toxopei); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
12211 Red-throated Lorikeet (Vini amabilis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
14730 Stresemann's Bristlefront (Merulaxis stresemanni); Likely extinct
15473 Kinglet Calyptura (Calyptura cristata); Poorly understood, no recent reports
16912 Gilliard's Honeyeater (Vosea whitemanensis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
18396 Western Wattled Cuckooshrike (Lobotos lobatus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
18397 Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike (Lobotos oriolinus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
19787 Ua Pou Monarch (Pomarea mira); Poorly understood, no recent reports
19818 Santa Cruz Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus sanctaecrucis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
20221 Javan Green Magpie (Cissa thalassina); Likely extinct in the wild
20360 Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis); Extinct in the wild
21991 Blue-wattled Bulbul (Brachypodius nieuwenhuisii); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
22133 White-eyed River Martin (Pseudochelidon sirintarae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
22393 Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon perdita); Poorly understood, no recent reports
23026 Speckled Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus sorghophilus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
23168 New Britain Thicketbird (Cincloramphus grosvenori); Poorly understood, no recent reports
23280 Dusky Tetraka (Xanthomixis tenebrosa); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
23373 Tana River Cisticola (Cisticola restrictus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
24426 Sangihe White-eye (Zosterops nehrkorni); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
26183 Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis); Likely extinct
26363 Cozumel Thrasher (Toxostoma guttatum); Likely extinct
26484 Pohnpei Starling (Aplonis pelzelni); Poorly understood, no recent reports
26583 Javan Pied Myna (Gracupica jalla); Likely extinct in the wild
26791 Olomao (Myadestes lanaiensis); Likely extinct
26952 Black-backed Thrush (Zoothera talaseae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
27578 Rück's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis ruckii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
27580 Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis camarinensis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
27892 Rufous-headed Robin (Larvivora ruficeps); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
28435 Spectacled Flowerpecker (Dicaeum dayakorum); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
28476 Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
29718 Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
30504 Kauai Nukupuu (Hemignathus hanapepe); Likely extinct
30505 Maui Nukupuu (Hemignathus affinis); Likely extinct
32102 Bachman's Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii); Likely extinct
32133 Semper's Warbler (Leucopeza semperi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports

B) Birds that require concerted, self-organized expeditions to otherwise inaccessible locations.
109 Tepui Tinamou (Crypturellus ptaritepui)
486 Eaton's Pintail (Anas eatoni);
757 Sira Curassow (Pauxi koepckeae);
975 Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger)
1338 Vietnamese Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata)
1339 Malay Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens)
1379 Hainan Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae)
2138 Whitehead's Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi)
2142 Mayr's Swiftlet (Aerodramus orientalis)
2191 Three-toed Swiftlet (Aerodramus papuensis)
3112 Buff-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus duidae)
4482 Polynesian Ground Dove (Pampusana erythroptera);
4519 Tooth-billed Pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris)
4716 Rapa Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus huttoni);
4723 Henderson Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus insularis);
5285 Henderson Crake (Zapornia atra);
5579 Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor);
6535 Amsterdam Albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis);
6611 MacGillivray's Prion (Pachyptila macgillivrayi);
6645 Henderson Petrel (Pterodroma atrata);
6664 Mascarene Petrel (Pseudobulweria aterrima);
6670 Fiji Petrel (Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi);
6699 Bryan's Shearwater (Puffinus bryani);
6703 Rapa Shearwater (Puffinus myrtae);
6920 Kerguelen Shag (Leucocarbo verrucosus);
6921 Heard Island Shag (Leucocarbo nivalis);
9149 Moustached Kingfisher (Actenoides bougainvillei);
9389 Niau Kingfisher (Todiramphus gertrudae);
9834 Sira Barbet (Capito fitzpatricki);
12216 Stephen's Lorikeet (Vini stepheni);
12559 Louisiade Pitta (Erythropitta meeki)
13359 Masafuera Rayadito (Aphrastura masafuerae);
14518 Tachira Antpitta (Grallaria chthonia);
16915 White-chinned Myzomela (Myzomela albigula)
17184 Tagula Honeyeater (Microptilotis vicina);
18165 Tagula Butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis);
18815 Tagula Shrikethrush (Colluricincla discolor);
19721 Annobon Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone smithii);
20445 Tagula Manucode (Manucodia alter);
20662 Snow Mountain Robin (Petroica archboldi)
22986 Nauru Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus rehsei);
22987 Caroline Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus syrinx);
22988 Bokikokiko (Acrocephalus aequinoctialis);
23009 Rimatara Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus rimitarae);
23013 Cook Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus kerearako);
23017 Henderson Island Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus taiti);
23018 Pitcairn Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus vaughani);
24381 Annobon White-eye (Zosterops griseovirescens);
24437 Tagula White-eye (Zosterops meeki);
24499 Vanikoro White-eye (Zosterops gibbsi);
26456 Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris)
31679 Vilcabamba Brushfinch (Atlapetes terborghi)
32461 White-faced Redstart (Myioborus albifacies)
32462 Guaiquinima Redstart (Myioborus cardonai)
32729 Duida Grass Finch (Emberizoides duidae)
33544 Scaled Flowerpiercer (Diglossa duidae)

C) Birds that require a complicated permitting process to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
461 Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
624 Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius nicobariensis); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
4426 Socorro Dove (Zenaida graysoni); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public, also extinct in the wild
4809 Nicobar Imperial Pigeon (Ducula nicobarica); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
5166 Gough Moorhen (Gallinula comeri); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
5242 Inaccessible Island Rail (Laterallus rogersi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
6572 Ainley's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates cheimomnestes); Guadalupe Island not accessible to the general public, also poorly understood
5948 Chatham Snipe (Coenocorypha pusilla); Mangere Island and Rangatira not accessible to the general public
5951 Snares Snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli); Snares islands, Codfish Island and other islets where introduced not accessible to the general public
7407 Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle (Spilornis klossi); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
7593 Nicobar Sparrowhawk (Accipiter butleri); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
8383 Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
11360 Kakapo (Strigops habroptila); Codfish and Anchor Islands not accessible to the general public
11845 Socorro Parakeet (Psittacara brevipes); Socorro Island not accessible to the general public
12058 Nicobar Parakeet (Psittacula caniceps); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
12157 Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis); Pullen Pullen Reserve not accessible to the general public
20698 Black Robin (Petroica traversi); Mangere Island and Rangatira not accessible to the general public
21907 Nicobar Bulbul (Ixos nicobariensis); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
22978 Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
25912 Clarion Wren (Troglodytes tanneri); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
25947 Socorro Wren (Troglodytes sissonii); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
26353 Socorro Mockingbird (Mimus graysoni); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
27634 Nicobar Jungle-Flycatcher (Cyornis nicobaricus); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
27931 Blackthroat (Calliope obscura); Foping and Changqing Nature Reserves not accessible to the general public (?)
30471 Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
30472 Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
31349 Guadalupe Junco (Junco insularis); Guadalupe Island not accessible to the general public
33050 Vampire Ground Finch (Geospiza septentrionalis); Isla Darwin not accessible to the general public
33439 Inaccessible Island Finch (Nesospiza acunhae); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33443 Wilkins's Finch (Nesospiza wilkinsi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33444 Nightingale Island Finch (Nesospiza questi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33446 Gough Finch (Rowettia goughensis); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public

D) Birds that are currently inaccessible because they occur only in dangerous regions.
2750 Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae); Tiny range in SW Colombia considered unsafe
2767 Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis); Tiny range in SW Colombia considered unsafe
3450 Nubian Bustard (Neotis nuba); Niger and Tchad considered dangerous, no recent reports from elsewhere
4475 Sulu Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei); Sulu considered dangerous
8104 Sulu Boobook (Ninox reyi); Sulu considered dangerous
9048 Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani); Sulu considered dangerous
10528 Sulu Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus ramsayi); Sulu considered dangerous
11463 Niam-niam Parrot (Poicephalus crassus); Central African Republic and adjacent areas considered dangerous
11950 Blue-winged Racket-tail (Prioniturus verticalis); Sulu considered dangerous
12533 Gurney's Pitta (Hydrornis gurneyi); Myanmar considered dangerous, likely extirpated from Thailand
18034 Yellow-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops alberti); DR Congo considered dangerous
18218 Jerdon's Minivet (Pericrocotus albifrons); Myanmar considered dangerous
18286 Grauer's Cuckooshrike (Ceblepyris graueri); DR Congo considered dangerous
19708 Bedford's Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone bedfordi); DR Congo considered dangerous
20250 Hooded Treepie (Crypsirina cucullata); Myanmar considered dangerous
20277 Iranian Ground Jay (Podoces pleskei); Iran considered dangerous
21415 Burmese Bush Lark (Mirafra microptera); Myanmar considered dangerous
21429 Ash's Lark (Mirafra ashi); S Somalia considered dangerous
21441 Obbia Lark (Spizocorys obbiensis); S Somalia considered dangerous
21703 Prigogine's Greenbul (Chlorocichla prigoginei); DR Congo considered dangerous
23468 Black-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola melanurus); NE Angola and DR Congo considered dangerous
23765 Kabobo Apalis (Apalis kaboboensis); DR Congo considered dangerous
25032 Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler (Napothera danjoui); Myanmar considered dangerous
25304 White-throated Babbler (Argya gularis); Myanmar considered dangerous
25312 Chapin's Babbler (Turdoides chapini); DR Congo considered dangerous
26203 White-browed Nuthatch (Sitta victoriae); Myanmar considered dangerous
28820 Prigogine's Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris prigoginei); DR Congo considered dangerous
28829 Rockefeller's Sunbird (Cinnyris rockefelleri); DR Congo considered dangerous
29103 Afghan Snowfinch (Pyrgilauda theresae); Afghanistan considered dangerous and Turkmenistan inaccessible
29133 Kordofan Sparrow (Passer cordofanicus); Chad and Sudan considered dangerous
29198 Zarudny's Sparrow (Passer zarudnyi); Turkmenistan inaccessible, no recent reports from Uzbekistan
29318 Lufira Masked Weaver (Ploceus ruweti); DR Congo considered dangerous
29347 Cinnamon Weaver (Ploceus badius); Sudan and South Sudan considered dangerous
29353 Golden-naped Weaver (Ploceus aureonucha); DR Congo considered dangerous
29401 Yellow-legged Weaver (Ploceus flavipes); DR Congo considered dangerous
29804 Black-lored Waxbill (Estrilda nigriloris); DR Congo considered dangerous
31699 Grey-crowned Tanager (Phaenicophilus poliocephalus); Haiti considered dangerous

Spoiler: Rejected proposals

744 Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus); Original designation: B?; Reason for rejection: Available in Guatemala and Mexico
1013 Sumatran Partridge (Arborophila sumatrana); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, available on Sumatra
1182 Siberian Grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Visiting Russia may be considered problematic by many, but should pose no imminent danger to ones life for most
1345 Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Region of occurrence considered rather safe, just very pricey
1464 Whyte's Francolin (Scleroptila whytei); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Relatively recent split, available in Zambia
1586 Mount Cameroon Spurfowl (Pternistis camerunensis); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Not difficult to hear
1592 Djibouti Spurfowl (Pternistis ochropectus); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Djibouti no longer considered dangerous
3108 Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Accessible population found in Colombia
3955 Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
4320 Blue-eyed Ground Dove (Columbina cyanopis); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
4926 White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi); Reason for rejection: While very difficult to get, there are accessible, known locations
6454 Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Expeditions, though pricy, don't need be organized by oneself
8298 Sandy Scops Owl (Otus icterorhynchus); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, available in Cameroon and Gabon
8678 Omani Owl (Strix butleri); Original designation: A?; Reason for rejection: Available in Oman (and perhaps elsewhere)
9062 Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: May be seen from boat
13861 Alagoas Antwren (Myrmotherula snowi); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
21196 Lesser Hoopoe-lark (Alaemon hamertoni); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
21430 Somali Lark (Mirafra somalica); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
21434 Kordofan Lark (Mirafra cordofanica); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in northernmost Senegal (and perhaps elsewhere)
22997 Moorea Reed Warbler + (Acrocephalus longirostris); Reason for rejection: Considered extinct by IOC
23032 Large-billed Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus orinus); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Available in southern Tajikistan
25381 Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush (Garrulax rufifrons); Reason for rejection: Still available on Java
29172 Abd al kuri Sparrow (Passer hemileucus); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Visiting Socotra is no longer considered dangerous
29766 Cinderella Waxbill (Glaucestrilda thomensis); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Available in Angola and Namibia
30469 Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit
30491 Akohekohe (Palmeria dolei); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, may be found outside of restricted areas, access to restricted area possible through organized walks
30508 Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, may be found outside of restricted areas, access to restricted area possible through organized walks
30513 Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit
30570 Somali Golden-winged Grosbeak (Rhynchostruthus louisae); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
30695 Warsangli Linnet (Linaria johannis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
30631 Yemen Serin (Crithagra menachensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in Saudi-Arabia and Oman
30694 Yemen Linnet (Linaria yemenensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in Saudi-Arabia
32703 Cherry-throated Tanager (Nemosia rourei); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
33031 Mangrove Finch (Camarhynchus heliobates): Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit

This list follows IOC 13.1.

 

[Mysticete]

The Gough and Tristan da Cunha Archipelago endemics are expensive to get, but gettable. The Atlantic Odyssey birding cruise visits the islands, and actually lands on the latter. Even though they can't land on Gough, apparently they still can often get Gough Finch and the Moorhen from zodiacs that cruise around the island.

 

[raymie]

Here's a revised list of inaccessible species. I've retouched the definitions a bit and added information to all category A, C and D birds, plus the rejected ones. I'll look through the cat. B birds soon. As always, I'm happy to get corrected or to add further proposals to the list.

What species are currently mostly or entirely inaccessible to world birders?
There are four categories:
A) Birds whose whereabouts are unknown or not understood.
B) Birds that require concerted, self-organized expeditions to otherwise inaccessible locations.
C) Birds that require a complicated permitting process to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
D) Birds that are currently inaccessible because they occur only in dangerous regions.

Here is a possible, preliminary list. Feel free to add more!

A) Birds whose whereabouts are unknown or not understood.
751 Alagoas Curassow (Mitu mitu); Extinct in the wild
1215 Dulit Partridge (Rhizothera dulitensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1298 Edwards's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi); Likely extinct in the wild
1579 Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1634 New Caledonian Nightjar (Eurostopodus exul); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1715 Cayenne Nightjar (Setopagis maculosa); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1880 Nechisar Nightjar (Caprimulgus solala); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1902 Prigogine's Nightjar (Caprimulgus prigoginei); Poorly understood, no recent reports
1992 New Caledonian Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles savesi); Poorly understood, no recent reports
2601 Letitia's Thorntail (Discosura letitiae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
2757 Turquoise-throated Puffleg (Eriocnemis godini); Poorly understood, no recent reports
4324 Purple-winged Ground Dove (Paraclaravis geoffroyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4473 Mindoro Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba platenae); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4773 Negros Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus arcanus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
4955 Colombian Crake (Neocrex colombiana); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
4959 Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5063 Brown-banded Rail (Lewinia mirifica); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5089 New Caledonian Rail (Cabalus lafresnayanus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5167 Makira Woodhen (Gallinula silvestris); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5535 Buff-breasted Buttonquail (Turnix olivii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
5540 Worcester's Buttonquail (Turnix worcesteri); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
5847 Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis); Likely extinct
5850 Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris); Likely extinct
6058 Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus); Likely extinct
7304 Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
7549 Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis buergersi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8034 Itombwe Owl (Tyto prigoginei); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8270 Pernambuco Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium mooreorum); Likely extinct
8345 Annobon Scops Owl (Otus feae); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8375 Siau Scops Owl (Otus siaoensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
8460 Maned Owl (Jubula lettii); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
8512 Shelley's Eagle-Owl (Ketupa shelleyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
9362 Guam Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus); Extinct in the wild
9457 Sangihe Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx sangirensis); Poorly understood, no recent reports
10987 Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis); Likely extinct
10990 Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis); Likely extinct
11799 Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii); Extinct in the wild
12189 Blue-fronted Lorikeet (Charmosynopsis toxopei); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
12211 Red-throated Lorikeet (Vini amabilis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
14730 Stresemann's Bristlefront (Merulaxis stresemanni); Likely extinct
15473 Kinglet Calyptura (Calyptura cristata); Poorly understood, no recent reports
16912 Gilliard's Honeyeater (Vosea whitemanensis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
18396 Western Wattled Cuckooshrike (Lobotos lobatus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
18397 Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike (Lobotos oriolinus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
19787 Ua Pou Monarch (Pomarea mira); Poorly understood, no recent reports
19818 Santa Cruz Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus sanctaecrucis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
20221 Javan Green Magpie (Cissa thalassina); Likely extinct in the wild
20360 Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis); Extinct in the wild
21991 Blue-wattled Bulbul (Brachypodius nieuwenhuisii); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
22133 White-eyed River Martin (Pseudochelidon sirintarae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
22393 Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon perdita); Poorly understood, no recent reports
23026 Speckled Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus sorghophilus); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
23168 New Britain Thicketbird (Cincloramphus grosvenori); Poorly understood, no recent reports
23280 Dusky Tetraka (Xanthomixis tenebrosa); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
23373 Tana River Cisticola (Cisticola restrictus); Poorly understood, no recent reports
24426 Sangihe White-eye (Zosterops nehrkorni); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
26183 Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis); Likely extinct
26363 Cozumel Thrasher (Toxostoma guttatum); Likely extinct
26484 Pohnpei Starling (Aplonis pelzelni); Poorly understood, no recent reports
26583 Javan Pied Myna (Gracupica jalla); Likely extinct in the wild
26791 Olomao (Myadestes lanaiensis); Likely extinct
26952 Black-backed Thrush (Zoothera talaseae); Poorly understood, no recent reports
27578 Rück's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis ruckii); Poorly understood, no recent reports
27580 Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis camarinensis); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
27892 Rufous-headed Robin (Larvivora ruficeps); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
28435 Spectacled Flowerpecker (Dicaeum dayakorum); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
28476 Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
29718 Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports
30504 Kauai Nukupuu (Hemignathus hanapepe); Likely extinct
30505 Maui Nukupuu (Hemignathus affinis); Likely extinct
32102 Bachman's Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii); Likely extinct
32133 Semper's Warbler (Leucopeza semperi); Poorly understood, very few recent reports

B) Birds that require concerted, self-organized expeditions to otherwise inaccessible locations.
109 Tepui Tinamou (Crypturellus ptaritepui)
486 Eaton's Pintail (Anas eatoni);
757 Sira Curassow (Pauxi koepckeae);
975 Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger)
1338 Vietnamese Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata)
1339 Malay Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens)
1379 Hainan Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae)
2138 Whitehead's Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi)
2142 Mayr's Swiftlet (Aerodramus orientalis)
2191 Three-toed Swiftlet (Aerodramus papuensis)
3112 Buff-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus duidae)
4482 Polynesian Ground Dove (Pampusana erythroptera);
4519 Tooth-billed Pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris)
4716 Rapa Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus huttoni);
4723 Henderson Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus insularis);
5285 Henderson Crake (Zapornia atra);
5579 Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor);
6535 Amsterdam Albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis);
6611 MacGillivray's Prion (Pachyptila macgillivrayi);
6645 Henderson Petrel (Pterodroma atrata);
6664 Mascarene Petrel (Pseudobulweria aterrima);
6670 Fiji Petrel (Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi);
6699 Bryan's Shearwater (Puffinus bryani);
6703 Rapa Shearwater (Puffinus myrtae);
6920 Kerguelen Shag (Leucocarbo verrucosus);
6921 Heard Island Shag (Leucocarbo nivalis);
9149 Moustached Kingfisher (Actenoides bougainvillei);
9389 Niau Kingfisher (Todiramphus gertrudae);
9834 Sira Barbet (Capito fitzpatricki);
12216 Stephen's Lorikeet (Vini stepheni);
12559 Louisiade Pitta (Erythropitta meeki)
13359 Masafuera Rayadito (Aphrastura masafuerae);
14518 Tachira Antpitta (Grallaria chthonia);
16915 White-chinned Myzomela (Myzomela albigula)
17184 Tagula Honeyeater (Microptilotis vicina);
18165 Tagula Butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis);
18815 Tagula Shrikethrush (Colluricincla discolor);
19721 Annobon Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone smithii);
20445 Tagula Manucode (Manucodia alter);
20662 Snow Mountain Robin (Petroica archboldi)
22986 Nauru Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus rehsei);
22987 Caroline Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus syrinx);
22988 Bokikokiko (Acrocephalus aequinoctialis);
23009 Rimatara Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus rimitarae);
23013 Cook Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus kerearako);
23017 Henderson Island Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus taiti);
23018 Pitcairn Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus vaughani);
24381 Annobon White-eye (Zosterops griseovirescens);
24437 Tagula White-eye (Zosterops meeki);
24499 Vanikoro White-eye (Zosterops gibbsi);
26456 Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris)
31679 Vilcabamba Brushfinch (Atlapetes terborghi)
32461 White-faced Redstart (Myioborus albifacies)
32462 Guaiquinima Redstart (Myioborus cardonai)
32729 Duida Grass Finch (Emberizoides duidae)
33544 Scaled Flowerpiercer (Diglossa duidae)

C) Birds that require a complicated permitting process to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
461 Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
624 Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius nicobariensis); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
4426 Socorro Dove (Zenaida graysoni); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public, also extinct in the wild
4809 Nicobar Imperial Pigeon (Ducula nicobarica); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
5166 Gough Moorhen (Gallinula comeri); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
5242 Inaccessible Island Rail (Laterallus rogersi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
6572 Ainley's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates cheimomnestes); Guadalupe Island not accessible to the general public, also poorly understood
5948 Chatham Snipe (Coenocorypha pusilla); Mangere Island and Rangatira not accessible to the general public
5951 Snares Snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli); Snares islands, Codfish Island and other islets where introduced not accessible to the general public
7407 Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle (Spilornis klossi); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
7593 Nicobar Sparrowhawk (Accipiter butleri); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
8383 Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
11360 Kakapo (Strigops habroptila); Codfish and Anchor Islands not accessible to the general public
11845 Socorro Parakeet (Psittacara brevipes); Socorro Island not accessible to the general public
12058 Nicobar Parakeet (Psittacula caniceps); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
12157 Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis); Pullen Pullen Reserve not accessible to the general public
20698 Black Robin (Petroica traversi); Mangere Island and Rangatira not accessible to the general public
21907 Nicobar Bulbul (Ixos nicobariensis); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
22978 Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
25912 Clarion Wren (Troglodytes tanneri); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
25947 Socorro Wren (Troglodytes sissonii); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
26353 Socorro Mockingbird (Mimus graysoni); Revillagigedo Islands not accessible to the general public
27634 Nicobar Jungle-Flycatcher (Cyornis nicobaricus); Nicobar Islands not accessible to non-Indians
27931 Blackthroat (Calliope obscura); Foping and Changqing Nature Reserves not accessible to the general public (?)
30471 Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
30472 Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima); Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not accessible to the general public
31349 Guadalupe Junco (Junco insularis); Guadalupe Island not accessible to the general public
33050 Vampire Ground Finch (Geospiza septentrionalis); Isla Darwin not accessible to the general public
33439 Inaccessible Island Finch (Nesospiza acunhae); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33443 Wilkins's Finch (Nesospiza wilkinsi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33444 Nightingale Island Finch (Nesospiza questi); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public
33446 Gough Finch (Rowettia goughensis); Tristan da Cunha Archipelago not accessible to the general public

D) Birds that are currently inaccessible because they occur only in dangerous regions.
2750 Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae); Tiny range in SW Colombia considered unsafe
2767 Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis); Tiny range in SW Colombia considered unsafe
3450 Nubian Bustard (Neotis nuba); Niger and Tchad considered dangerous, no recent reports from elsewhere
4475 Sulu Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei); Sulu considered dangerous
8104 Sulu Boobook (Ninox reyi); Sulu considered dangerous
9048 Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani); Sulu considered dangerous
10528 Sulu Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus ramsayi); Sulu considered dangerous
11463 Niam-niam Parrot (Poicephalus crassus); Central African Republic and adjacent areas considered dangerous
11950 Blue-winged Racket-tail (Prioniturus verticalis); Sulu considered dangerous
12533 Gurney's Pitta (Hydrornis gurneyi); Myanmar considered dangerous, likely extirpated from Thailand
18034 Yellow-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops alberti); DR Congo considered dangerous
18218 Jerdon's Minivet (Pericrocotus albifrons); Myanmar considered dangerous
18286 Grauer's Cuckooshrike (Ceblepyris graueri); DR Congo considered dangerous
19708 Bedford's Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone bedfordi); DR Congo considered dangerous
20250 Hooded Treepie (Crypsirina cucullata); Myanmar considered dangerous
20277 Iranian Ground Jay (Podoces pleskei); Iran considered dangerous
21415 Burmese Bush Lark (Mirafra microptera); Myanmar considered dangerous
21429 Ash's Lark (Mirafra ashi); S Somalia considered dangerous
21441 Obbia Lark (Spizocorys obbiensis); S Somalia considered dangerous
21703 Prigogine's Greenbul (Chlorocichla prigoginei); DR Congo considered dangerous
23468 Black-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola melanurus); NE Angola and DR Congo considered dangerous
23765 Kabobo Apalis (Apalis kaboboensis); DR Congo considered dangerous
25032 Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler (Napothera danjoui); Myanmar considered dangerous
25304 White-throated Babbler (Argya gularis); Myanmar considered dangerous
25312 Chapin's Babbler (Turdoides chapini); DR Congo considered dangerous
26203 White-browed Nuthatch (Sitta victoriae); Myanmar considered dangerous
28820 Prigogine's Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris prigoginei); DR Congo considered dangerous
28829 Rockefeller's Sunbird (Cinnyris rockefelleri); DR Congo considered dangerous
29103 Afghan Snowfinch (Pyrgilauda theresae); Afghanistan considered dangerous and Turkmenistan inaccessible
29133 Kordofan Sparrow (Passer cordofanicus); Chad and Sudan considered dangerous
29198 Zarudny's Sparrow (Passer zarudnyi); Turkmenistan inaccessible, no recent reports from Uzbekistan
29318 Lufira Masked Weaver (Ploceus ruweti); DR Congo considered dangerous
29347 Cinnamon Weaver (Ploceus badius); Sudan and South Sudan considered dangerous
29353 Golden-naped Weaver (Ploceus aureonucha); DR Congo considered dangerous
29401 Yellow-legged Weaver (Ploceus flavipes); DR Congo considered dangerous
29804 Black-lored Waxbill (Estrilda nigriloris); DR Congo considered dangerous
31699 Grey-crowned Tanager (Phaenicophilus poliocephalus); Haiti considered dangerous

Spoiler: Rejected proposals

744 Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus); Original designation: B?; Reason for rejection: Available in Guatemala and Mexico
1013 Sumatran Partridge (Arborophila sumatrana); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, available on Sumatra
1182 Siberian Grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Visiting Russia may be considered problematic by many, but should pose no imminent danger to ones life for most
1345 Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Region of occurrence considered rather safe, just very pricey
1464 Whyte's Francolin (Scleroptila whytei); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Relatively recent split, available in Zambia
1586 Mount Cameroon Spurfowl (Pternistis camerunensis); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Not difficult to hear
1592 Djibouti Spurfowl (Pternistis ochropectus); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Djibouti no longer considered dangerous
3108 Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Accessible population found in Colombia
3955 Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
4320 Blue-eyed Ground Dove (Columbina cyanopis); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
4926 White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi); Reason for rejection: While very difficult to get, there are accessible, known locations
6454 Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Expeditions, though pricy, don't need be organized by oneself
8298 Sandy Scops Owl (Otus icterorhynchus); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, available in Cameroon and Gabon
8678 Omani Owl (Strix butleri); Original designation: A?; Reason for rejection: Available in Oman (and perhaps elsewhere)
9062 Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: May be seen from boat
13861 Alagoas Antwren (Myrmotherula snowi); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
21196 Lesser Hoopoe-lark (Alaemon hamertoni); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
21430 Somali Lark (Mirafra somalica); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
21434 Kordofan Lark (Mirafra cordofanica); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in northernmost Senegal (and perhaps elsewhere)
22997 Moorea Reed Warbler + (Acrocephalus longirostris); Reason for rejection: Considered extinct by IOC
23032 Large-billed Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus orinus); Original designation: A; Reason for rejection: Available in southern Tajikistan
25381 Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush (Garrulax rufifrons); Reason for rejection: Still available on Java
29172 Abd al kuri Sparrow (Passer hemileucus); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Visiting Socotra is no longer considered dangerous
29766 Cinderella Waxbill (Glaucestrilda thomensis); Original designation: B; Reason for rejection: Available in Angola and Namibia
30469 Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit
30491 Akohekohe (Palmeria dolei); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, may be found outside of restricted areas, access to restricted area possible through organized walks
30508 Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Though difficult, may be found outside of restricted areas, access to restricted area possible through organized walks
30513 Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit
30570 Somali Golden-winged Grosbeak (Rhynchostruthus louisae); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
30695 Warsangli Linnet (Linaria johannis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Somaliland no longer considered dangerous
30631 Yemen Serin (Crithagra menachensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in Saudi-Arabia and Oman
30694 Yemen Linnet (Linaria yemenensis); Original designation: D; Reason for rejection: Available in Saudi-Arabia
32703 Cherry-throated Tanager (Nemosia rourei); Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Permit currently easily obtainable
33031 Mangrove Finch (Camarhynchus heliobates): Original designation: C; Reason for rejection: Still gettable without permit

This list follows IOC 13.1.

Is Haiti really that dangerous? I've heard most of the country is safe, it's just a couple of cities that need to be avoided. I have a friend who was there a few years ago.

 

[Mysticete]

As far as I know the situation in Haiti has deteriorated in the last year or so. I mean a lot of countries listed as "unsafe" really could be visited if you are from certain parts of the world or are brave/experienced enough in traveling to those areas.

 

[temmie]

Is Haiti really that dangerous? I've heard most of the country is safe, it's just a couple of cities that need to be avoided. I have a friend who was there a few years ago.

Yes it is really dangerous.
While the Palm Tanager is technically in areas that are among the (relatively) best / safest in the country, getting there is not safe.
There is a constantly risk of being ambushed by bandits, for sure if you are a tourist.

 

[Maffong]

I'm currently wondering how to properly define the requirements of "self-organized expedition" for the category B species. I guess some trip that requires chartering a helicopter or ship might fulfill the requirements, but some species seem quite easy once that first step has been surpassed. If anyone has an idea for some kind of objective measurement of what constitutes a true expedition I'd be glad to hear them.

As a general rule, I think I will make it a requirement for birds in any category that no organized trips that's publicly available (with a reasonable chance of finding the target) exists, which was the reason why the Somaliland species have been moved to the appendix. I think I've seen some mammalwatching trips being advertised to Chad, so the birds there might be thrown out, even though there are travel warnings issued for large parts of the country.
Any birds on islands that are covered by the Atlantic Odyssesy cruises will also get thrown out...

 

[Mysticete]

yeah, I think the "is there an company offering an organized bird tour to a spot" is a pretty good measure of how accessible something is.

 

[opisska]

Yeah mammalwatchers go to Chad soon. It is organized reportedly to be "budget friendly" so it only would cost us half of all our savings, not all of them ...

Are there any birds that fulfill the criterion "no company makes trips", yet the only obstacle to getting to them is a long trek? If yes, I would like to know the directions

 

[jurek]

Trips to Chad or Central African Republic are advertised about every second year, however they are often called off. There are all the time people in Chad who can organize you a trip. This is more the question: how many years should pass after the last time a foreigner was gruesomely killed in Chad that you consider it safe to visit? 3, 5, 10?

Also some birds often change between unsafe and safe to visit. Liben Lark in Ethiopia is such: warnings against visiting Liben area change frequently. I could not go there in 2022, but many birding friends seen it few years earlier, while others could not.

Rock arches and mushrooms of Sahara are breathtaking, as is the lake of glowing molten lava in Danakil. Alas, too unsafe for me. Although two ground agents in Ethiopia offered me a tour in 2022 (but see below).

An objective metric can be: unsafe is any country or part of the country which your embassy (or the U.S. embassy for ease) currently warns against visiting. This, among others, can cause trouble with your and your travel company health and travel insurance.

A second metric of inaccessible bird would be: one that has zero observations on ebird or ornitho within the last 5 years, except possibly professional scientists or such people.

 

[Maffong]

Are there any birds that fulfill the criterion "no company makes trips", yet the only obstacle to getting to them is a long trek? If yes, I would like to know the directions

Several islands in Southeast Asia seem to fit: Seram Thrush comes to mind.
Probably also some mountain ranges in South America. Not sure, why nobody visits the Sira region? Bad roads?

 

[jurek]

There are some highland birds in New Guinea (e.g. Long-bearded Melidectes) and upland birds in the center of New Britain (Bismarck Honeyeater, New Britain Thrush) which are not visited by any tour, but local birders pointed at the mountain and said the only problem is taking a full day trek uphill. Few tours which go to PNG are normally elderly, rich birders with low stamina.