Birds are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth, with over 10,000 living species identified. Unfortunately, human activities have caused some bird species to go extinct over the past several centuries. Estimates vary, but dozens if not hundreds of bird species have disappeared in recent history. Understanding what species have gone extinct and why can help us better protect birds today.
How many bird species have gone extinct?
According to the IUCN Red List, 187 bird species have gone extinct since the year 1500. The vast majority of these extinctions (around 90%) have occurred on islands. Island species are particularly vulnerable to extinction due to their small population sizes and limited habitat.
Some of the major island groups that have seen significant numbers of bird extinctions include Hawaii (79 species extinct), French Polynesia (21 species), the Caribbean (21 species), and the Mascarene Islands (17 species). On the continents, only 15 bird extinctions have been recorded over the past 500 years.
However, the IUCN data likely underestimates the true number of avian extinctions for several reasons:
- Many extinctions, especially on remote islands, likely went undocumented.
- Some rare species that have not been recorded for many decades are not officially classified as Extinct until more surveys are conducted (these species are classified as Critically Endangered).
- Only about 10% of known bird species have been evaluated for the IUCN Red List, meaning many extinctions have likely been missed.
Some researchers estimate that the true number of bird extinctions since 1500 is between 500 and 2000 species. The exact figure will likely never be known.
What are some notable extinct bird species?
While there are far too many extinct bird species to list them all here, some of the more iconic and well-known extinct birds include:
- The Dodo – This flightless pigeon lived on the island of Mauritius but went extinct by 1681 due to hunting and predation by invasive species.
- The Passenger Pigeon – This species once numbered in the billions in North America but was hunted to extinction by 1914.
- The Carolina Parakeet – This colorful parrot inhabited forests in the eastern United States before disappearing by the early 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss.
- The Ivory-billed Woodpecker – This large woodpecker lived in the southeastern U.S. and Cuba but is likely extinct, with the last confirmed sighting in the 1940s.
- The Great Auk – This penguin-like seabird bred on islands in the North Atlantic until disappearing in the mid-19th century due to hunting for its down feathers.
- Bachman’s Warbler – This small songbird once bred in the southern U.S. before being last seen in the wild in 1962 as its swamp habitat disappeared.
When did most bird extinctions occur?
The main periods of elevated bird extinctions were:
- Pacific Island Extinctions, 1200s – 1800s – Starting with the colonization of the Pacific by Polynesians around 1300 AD, many island species (especially flightless birds) were driven to extinction through over-hunting and predation by invasive mammals like rats.
- North American Extinctions, 1800s – early 1900s – Dozens of North American bird species disappeared as forests were logged and wetlands were drained for agriculture. Hunting also claimed many species, like the Passenger Pigeon.
- Mascarene Island Extinctions, 1600s – 1800s – Located in the Indian Ocean, the Mascarene islands of Mauritius, Reunion, and Rodrigues lost multiple bird species, including dodos, giant tortoises, and parrots.
A smaller wave of extinctions occurred in the latter half of the 20th century as species vulnerable to habitat loss and invasive species disappeared.
What are the main causes of bird extinctions?
The primary drivers of bird extinctions over the past several centuries have been:
- Habitat loss and degradation – Deforestation, agricultural expansion, draining of wetlands, and urbanization all destroy or alter habitats needed by birds.
- Over-hunting and trapping – Especially on islands, many species were over-hunted for food or feathers, driving them to extinction.
- Invasive species – Rats, mongooses, and other invasive mammals prey on eggs and young birds, wiping out vulnerable island populations.
- Climate change – Some extinctions in the 20th century may have been driven by climate shifts like droughts disrupting breeding.
In some cases, extinctions were caused by multiple interacting factors. For example, habitat loss may make a species more vulnerable to hunting pressures or predation.
Could extinct bird species come back?
In a few cases, species that were considered extinct have been rediscovered when small populations are located. Most famously, the Cebu Flowerpecker was rediscovered in the Philippines in 1992 after not being seen since 1906.
However, for most extinct species, the chance of them coming back is essentially zero. Many extinct birds lived on small isolated islands and there is no suitable habitat left for them to survive in if they did come back.
In rare cases, scientists have proposed using cloning technology to “bring back” extinct species like the Passenger Pigeon or Woolly Mammoth. This is highly controversial though, given the limited genetic material available and uncertainty whether cloned animals could actually survive in the wild today.
Overall, the extinction of a species is widely considered permanent. Preventing extinctions through habitat protection is far more feasible than attempting to resurrect lost species.
How are conservationists trying to prevent bird extinctions today?
A variety of conservation programs and policies today aim to prevent further bird extinctions:
- Habitat reserves – Protecting areas of important habitat like rainforests and wetlands can help preserve species.
- Reintroductions – Bringing back species to areas they have disappeared from, through release of captive-bred birds.
- Predator control – Removing invasive predators like rats and mongooses can allow endangered island birds to recover.
- Ban on hunting – Banning or limiting hunting of threatened species prevents over-exploitation.
- International agreements – Agreements like CITES regulate the trade in bird products like feathers to prevent unsustainable harvests.
Conservationists also monitor endangered and declining species closely. Targeted programs are launched for species deemed most at risk of extinction. Public education and ecotourism programs can also generate support and funding for bird conservation.
How many bird species are endangered today?
According to the IUCN Red List, over 1300 bird species are currently classified as threatened (vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered). This represents over 13% of all known bird species. Hundreds more species are considered “near threatened.”
Some groups that have particularly high numbers of threatened species include:
- Parrots – Nearly 30% of parrot species are threatened, primarily due to habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade.
- Hawaiian Honeycreepers – Two-thirds of these colorful Hawaiian forest birds are at risk, due to habitat loss, disease, and invasive species.
- Albatrosses – Nearly half of albatross species are threatened by mortality from fishing operations and pollution.
- Cranes – 15 of 15 crane species are threatened, with wetland habitat loss being a major factor.
Without conservation efforts, dozens if not hundreds of currently threatened birds may face extinction in the coming decades.
Conclusion
While the exact number is uncertain, at least 187 birds have gone extinct since 1500, primarily on islands. The main causes have been over-hunting, habitat destruction from human activities, and predation by invasive species. While extinction is generally permanent, focused conservation efforts today aim to prevent further losses through habitat protection, reintroductions, predator control, legal protections, and many other programs. Still, over 1300 species are currently threatened and at risk of disappearing without continued conservation action.