A rare archival photo collection of extinct bird species such as the Passenger Pigeon, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Guam Kingfisher, and more.
1. Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus) – Taken Before 1985
This is not only a color photograph of the Alaotra Grebe in its natural habitat but also the only known image of this bird species. The Alaotra Grebe originated from the Alaotra Lake region in Madagascar and has not been sighted since 1985.
According to the International Birdlife organization, this species may have gone extinct due to habitat destruction caused by the invasive predatory fish species Micropterus and Ophiocephalus, as well as human activities.
2. Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) – Taken in 1896
The Passenger Pigeon was once one of the most abundant bird species in the world. It is estimated that when Europeans began to arrive in America, there were about 3 to 5 billion Passenger Pigeons. However, by the early 20th century, this bird species went extinct due to excessive hunting for meat. The last known Passenger Pigeon died on September 1, 1914, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
3. Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) – Taken in 1906
Deforestation for farming, the trend of hunting parrots for their feathers, and disease led to the extinction of this beautiful parakeet species. The last wild Carolina Parakeet was killed in 1904, and by 1918, the last captive Carolina Parakeet also died at the Cincinnati Zoo.
4. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) – Taken in 1935
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker measures about 51 cm in length and has a wingspan of 76 cm. It originated from the old-growth forests of the Southeastern United States and is one of the largest woodpecker species in the world. Deforestation and hunting have pushed this species to the critically endangered list.
It was once thought to be completely extinct until 2004 when a research team reported sightings of some individuals. However, sufficient evidence of their existence is still lacking.
5. South Island Bush Wren (Xenicus longipes) – Taken in 1911
The South Island Bush Wren measures only 9 cm, is flightless, and primarily feeds on invertebrates by hopping along branches. It usually nests close to the ground and was once common in New Zealand.
By the late 19th century, the introduction of stoats and rats decimated this bird species. The last South Island Bush Wren was seen in 1968.
6. Guam Kingfisher (Myiagra freycineti) – Nesting in Bamboo Clusters, Taken in 1948
The Guam Kingfisher is a blue bird native to Guam in the Mariana Islands, Pacific Ocean. Its population sharply declined in the 1970s due to predation by the invasive Brown Tree Snake (introduced to Guam in the 1940s). The last individual was sighted in 1983.
7. Wake Island Rail (Gallirallus wakensis) – Taken in 1936
The Wake Island Rail originated from Wake Island, a coral island located between Honolulu and Guam in the North Pacific. They feed on insects and mollusks and can survive for long periods without drinking water. Their inability to fly, along with geographical isolation, likely led to their extinction due to hunting.
8. Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas)
This bird is a relative of the Pied Grebe, measuring 50 cm in length, and lived in the Lago de Atitlan region of Guatemala. Its population started to decline in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to the introduction of predatory fish species Micropterus dolomieu and Micropterus salmoides into the lakes. These predatory fish not only fed on small fish and crabs, which were the Atitlan Grebe’s food sources but also consumed juvenile birds. The last recorded sighting of the Atitlan Grebe was in 1989.
9. Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) – Taken in 1962
The Eskimo Curlew measures 30 cm in length and has a long bill, feeding on clams and other invertebrates. It was once the most numerous shorebird in North America, with populations reaching millions. Its decline was due to hunting.
By the late 19th century, approximately 2 million Eskimo Curlews were killed each year. However, scientists still hold faint hope for the existence of this species, as there have been some unverified reports of sightings in 1962, 1963, and other times.
10. Laysan Rail (Limnocorax palmeri) – Taken in 1913
The Laysan Rail, native to Hawaii, measures only 15 cm but is very aggressive. Rats that followed American warships during World War II were introduced to the island, leading to the extinction of this bird by 1945.
11. Paradise Parrot (Psephotus pulcherrimus) – Taken in 1922
This parrot species features vibrant colors of red, brown, and black. Trapping, egg collection, and other human activities, along with disease, led to the extinction of this parrot in September 1927.
12. South Island Laughing Owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) – Taken in 1909
This owl originated from New Zealand, inhabiting low-lying areas with rocky outcrops and forests. The population of this owl species declined in the 1880s, with the last known sighting occurring around 1925-1927. The extinction of the South Island Laughing Owl is attributed to human activities and predation by introduced species such as cats and stoats.
