A bald-headed songbird, or bulbul, with a nearly featherless, pink face has been discovered in a rugged region of Laos, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WSC) said on Thursday.

It marks Asia's first description of a new species of bulbul -- a family of about 130 species -- in over 100 years. Besides, the thrush-sized bird is noteworthy because it is the only known bald songbird in mainland Asia.

A description of the new species, dubbed the Bare-faced Bulbul, is published in the latest issue of the Oriental Bird Club's journal Forktail.

The bird is said to be found in an area of sparse forest on rugged limestone karsts -- a little-visited habitat known for unusual wildlife discoveries.

"Its apparent restriction to rather inhospitable habitat helps to explain why such an extraordinary bird with conspicuous habits and a distinctive call has remained unnoticed for so long," said Iain Woxvold of the University of Melbourne, who made the discovery along with WSC researchers.

Although much of the bird's presumed habitat falls within legally protected areas in Laos, quarrying of limestone looms as a potential threat to wildlife in this area, along with habitat conversion for agriculture, the researchers warned in a statement.