Extinct and endangered birds: Eye-opening Good Advice
Extinct and endangered birds – content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder
Bird species around the world face varying degrees of threat, from endangerment to extinction, due to factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, hunting, and invasive species. Here’s an overview of some notable extinct and endangered birds:
Extinct Birds
- Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius):
- Once one of the most abundant birds in North America, the passenger pigeon went extinct in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat destruction. The last known individual, named Martha, died in 1914.
- Dodo (Raphus cucullatus):
- Native to Mauritius, the dodo became extinct in the late 17th century. It was a flightless bird that fell victim to overhunting and introduced species such as rats, pigs, and monkeys, which preyed on its eggs.
- Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis):
- A flightless bird found in the North Atlantic, the great auk was hunted to extinction by the mid-19th century for its feathers, meat, and oil. The last known individuals were killed in 1844.
- Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis):
- Once widespread in the United States, the Carolina parakeet was driven to extinction by the early 20th century due to habitat destruction, hunting, and disease. The last known individual died in 1918.
- Moa (Dinornithiformes):
- Native to New Zealand, these large, flightless birds were hunted to extinction by the Maori people by the late 15th century. There were several species of moa, with the largest reaching over 10 feet in height.
Endangered Birds
- California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus):
- One of the world’s largest flying birds, the California condor was on the brink of extinction in the 1980s, with only 27 individuals remaining. Intensive conservation efforts, including captive breeding, have helped increase their numbers, but they remain critically endangered.
- Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus):
- The kakapo is a flightless, nocturnal parrot native to New Zealand. It is critically endangered due to habitat destruction and introduced predators. Conservation efforts have increased the population, but it remains one of the world’s rarest birds.
- Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea):
- This small wader is critically endangered due to habitat loss and changes in its breeding and wintering grounds. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and captive breeding.
- Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis):
- Also known as the ‘Alalā, this bird is critically endangered and was once extinct in the wild. Captive breeding programs have reintroduced some individuals back into their natural habitat, but challenges remain.
- Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi):
- One of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, the Philippine eagle is critically endangered due to deforestation and hunting. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and breeding programs.
- Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii):
- Known for its striking blue plumage, the Spix’s macaw is critically endangered and was once believed extinct in the wild. Captive breeding programs have been successful, and reintroduction efforts are ongoing.
Conservation Efforts for Extinct and endangered birds
- Protected Areas: Establishing and maintaining protected areas to preserve natural habitats is crucial for the survival of many bird species.
- Captive Breeding: Breeding programs in zoos and conservation centers help increase population numbers and can support reintroduction efforts.
- Legislation: Enforcing laws and regulations to protect endangered species from hunting, trade, and habitat destruction.
- Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of bird conservation and encouraging community involvement in conservation efforts.
- Research: Conducting research to understand the biology, behavior, and threats faced by endangered species to inform effective conservation strategies.
By implementing these strategies, conservationists aim to prevent further extinctions and support the recovery of endangered bird species.
What birds went extinct?
Over 190 species of birds have become extinct since 1500, and the rate of extinction seems to be increasing. The situation is exemplified by Hawaii, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird taxa originally lived. Other areas, such as Guam, have also been hit hard; Guam has lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the last 30 years, many of them due to the introduced brown tree snake.
Currently, there are approximately 10,000 living species of birds, with an estimated 1,200 considered to be under threat of extinction.
A species is extinct when the last existing member dies. Extinction, therefore, becomes a certainty when there are no surviving individuals that can reproduce and create a new generation. A species may become functionally extinct when only a handful of individuals survive, which cannot reproduce due to poor health, age, sparse distribution over a large range, a lack of individuals of both sexes (in sexually reproducing species), or other reasons.
Source and photo: Wikipedia
Annual Endangered Species Day is celebrated on May 21st.
Who regulates extinct and endangered birds?
CITES, which stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is a global agreement among governments to regulate or ban international trade in species under threat. You can visit their website at:
Our Premier magazine list three full pages of Cites birds each month.
Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade-in specimens of these species are permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.
Appendix III This Appendix contains species that are protected in at least one country.
Here is an example of how the birds are listed in our magazine:
Which bird conservation societies do World Wide Birds magazine support?
We support all institutions that protect and contribute to the conservation of our birds and their habitats.
The following institutions provide us with regular information to publish in the magazine and on our website about extinct and endangered birds.
https://www.oneearthconservation.org/
https://macawrecoverynetwork.org/
https://www.owlrescuecentre.org.za/
You are also welcome to contact us to feature in the magazine and website for collaboration such as a link on your website to ours.
