We will explain the characteristics, ecology, habitat, reproduction, and reasons for the extinction of the passenger pigeon, which existed in the hundreds of millions 100 years ago but is now extinct. Why did this bird, which is said to have once lived in large numbers, become extinct? We will explain all the reasons, characteristics, and ecology.
What is a passenger pigeon? About basic status
The passenger pigeon is a bird belonging to the genus Passenger Pigeon. The English name is Passenger Pigeon. The scientific name is Ectopistes migratorius. It is said to have a total length of about 40 cm, and is said to be the most abundant wild bird in history.
| Japanese（和名） | リョコウバト（漢字：旅行鳩） |
| English（英名） | Passenger Pigeon |
| scientific name(学名) | Ectopistes migratorius |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Columbiformes、Columbidae、Ectopistes 鳥綱、ハト目、ハト科、リョコウバト属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | EXTINCT |
| Length（体長） | 40cm |
| Weight（体重） | 260 – 340 g |
Taxonomy of the Passenger Pigeon
This section summarizes the taxonomy of the passenger pigeon. The passenger pigeon once inhabited North America but became extinct in the early 20th century.
Kingdom, Phylum, and Class
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order and Family
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus and Species
Genus: Ectopistes
Species: Ectopistes migratorius
About the habitat of the passenger pigeon
The passenger pigeon lived mainly in the eastern region of the United States. It was even said that when they passed over it in nature, huge groups would appear and the sky would darken.
- Geographic Distribution
Once widespread throughout eastern and central North America, its habitat stretched from southern Canada to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and the Mississippi River basin in the United States.
- Habitat
This bird prefers vast forested areas, particularly those rich in oak, beech, and hazel trees.
It is a migratory bird that travels in large flocks, moving seasonally to areas with abundant food sources (fruit and nuts).
It also uses open areas in the forest and along rivers for breeding and resting.
- Food Resources
Because it consumes large amounts of acorns, nuts, and berries, forests rich in food are important habitats for it.
When food supplies run out, it can travel hundreds of kilometers.
- Migration and Flocking
Passenger pigeons are among the largest flocking birds in history, with flocks numbering in the millions and tens of millions covering entire forests.
The movement of large herds was closely related to the consumption of forest resources within their habitat and the selection of breeding sites.
- Habitat Change Related to Extinction
Deforestation and agricultural development in the 19th century rapidly destroyed their habitat.
Habitat loss prevented the formation of large herds, leading to their extinction.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
It is estimated that there were between 3 and 5 billion passenger pigeons at one time. The male has a blue-gray head, rose-colored underside, black bill, and red legs. Females are more subdued in color than males. It was said that the moving herds were so dense that the sky would be dyed black. The flight speed was fast and the travel speed was about 60 miles per hour. These pigeons lived in deciduous forests in eastern North America and were primarily active around the Great Lakes.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Length: Approximately 40 cm, Wingspan: Approximately 55 cm
Males have pale blue-gray plumage with a reddish chest. Females are somewhat duller, with a more gray overall color.
Their tail feathers are long and pointed, allowing them to cut through the air during flight.
Their beaks are small and well-suited for pecking at fruits and nuts.
- Lifestyle and Behavior
They are flock-living birds, forming large flocks numbering several million to tens of millions of birds.
They travel in large flocks, feeding on fruits and nuts in the forest.
They are highly mobile, migratory birds that can travel long distances.
- Breeding
They build extensive nests in the forest and lay one to two eggs per breeding.
During the breeding season, they form large colonies, with many pairs nesting close together.
Breeding nests are built on tree branches, and the flock provides mutual safety.
What is the ecology of the passenger pigeon?
Passenger pigeons lived mainly on beech nuts, acorns, and chestnuts. In summer, they also prey on soft fruits such as berries and invertebrates. Passenger pigeons were also famous as migratory birds. Their summer nesting grounds range from New York to the Great Lakes area, and their wintering grounds move to Mexico. Because they moved in such large numbers, it was said that even the local people were blocked from sunlight and the sky became dark. The breeding season is once a year, and the number of eggs per egg is only one, so it is a bird with a very low reproductive capacity.
- Flocks and Migration
Living in overwhelming flocks: Flocks can number in the millions or tens of millions, sometimes covering the sky.
Moving in flocks improves the efficiency of food search and defense against predators.
They migrate long distances depending on the season, moving to areas with abundant food.
- Diet
Fruit and nut diet (acorns, hazelnuts, berries, etc.).
They rely on food resources within the forest, and when food supplies run out, they move in large flocks to other areas.
They sometimes feed on the ground, and the entire flock shares food.
- Reproduction
During the breeding season, they build large nest colonies in the forest.
Nests are built on tree branches, and one to two eggs are laid per breeding.
Breeding in flocks ensures safety from predators.
- Behavior and Sociality
They are highly sociable and primarily flock-based. Isolated individuals have rarely been seen.
Within the flock, they move in a coordinated manner and efficiently utilize feeding areas.
They stay together in safe places at night and forage in the forest during the day.
- Natural Predators and Defense
Raptors include birds of prey and mammals (such as foxes).
Traveling in large flocks reduces the risk of predation for individuals.
About Passenger Pigeon Chicks
This article summarizes passenger pigeon chicks. Unfortunately, passenger pigeons are an extinct species, but historical observations provide information about their chicks’ behavior.
- Birth
During the breeding season, they build nests on the branches of forest trees and lay one to two eggs.
The incubation period is thought to be approximately 14 to 16 days.
Hatched chicks are very small, with thin feathers and closed eyes.
- Growth
Chicks are completely dependent on their parents for food.
The parents feed them fruits and nuts by mouth.
They grow quickly, and about two weeks after hatching, their feathers grow fully formed and they are able to walk outside the nest.
- Behavior
In the nest, they grow close to their parents, ensuring their safety.
Because they build nests in large flocks, chicks grow up surrounded by numerous nests.
This cooperation among the entire flock reduces the risk of predators.
- Independence
Approximately one month after hatching, they begin practicing flight.
After about one to two months, they become independent and begin traveling with their parents in flocks to search for food.
Why did the passenger pigeon become extinct?
The passenger pigeon in North America has already become extinct. All that remains is the stuffed specimen. So why did it become extinct in the first place? I will explain the reasons for this based on records and information from the time.
Overfishing by humans
Passenger pigeons were originally eaten by Native Americans as meat. However, because the indigenous people took precautions such as refraining from hunting pigeons during the breeding season, they did not become extinct. However, the situation changed when Europeans settled in modern times. When white settlers began to settle in earnest in the 19th century, they began to hunt not only pigeons but also American bison and pronghorn. This is where the tragedy began.
excessive hunting
Humans forced the Indians onto reservations and began hunting them as they pleased. Overhunting began for the purpose of collecting feathers for meat, feed, and bedding material. The number of passenger pigeons has plummeted and continues to decline, and even their chicks are being overhunted. In 1878, nearly one billion passenger pigeons were slaughtered in Michigan. By the end of the 19th century, it was almost extinct. At that time, there were attempts to seek protection, but they were ignored.
Destroyed by forest development
This was further exacerbated by deforestation and land development by humans. Passenger pigeons used to live in forests because they had the property of resting on perches, but with the disappearance of forests, they began to appear on the ground in residential areas, and the negative cycle continued as they were hunted. Martha, a female, was the last survivor at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio in 1910. However, in 1914, he died of old age and was declared extinct.
Towards a revival after 100 years?
In 2012, a group of scientists launched a research project to clone the passenger pigeon, with the aim of genetically engineering a bird with the same traits as the extinct passenger pigeon. Ben Novak’s group at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is working to extract DNA from specimens of passenger pigeons in an effort to revive the species.
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