 The long-legged thicketbird was first collected in 1890 and four specimens were collected between then and 1894, after which the species was not seen again until 1974 (though there were a few unconfirmed sightings).In 1974 the Vanua Levu subspecies "Megalurulus rufus cluniei" was discovered (although it has not been seen since).In 2003 scientists from BirdLife International working in Wabu Forest Reserve in Viti Levu discovered a small population of "M. rufus".