Google’s definition of extinct: of a species, family, or other large group having no living members
In the earth’s history many species have gone extinct. The dinosaurs, dodo birds, woolly mammoths, and saber toothed tigers are all ones that come to mind when the word extinct is thrown around, but rates of extinction have gone up in our life time.
Experts say that the rate of extinction is now hundreds or even thousands of times higher than it would be naturally. This inflation is due to human impacts on the earth. We change environments, destroy habitats, and influence the natural world around us.
Listed below are a few species that have gone extinct.
Passenger Pigeon
With the last one dying on September 1st, 1914 the Passenger Pigeon has been extinct for over 100 years. When they were around these birds would live in huge flocks and would nest in certain areas. This made them easy targets for humans. Their ultimate decline was a combination of commercial slaughter, human distribution of nesting grounds, and conservation efforts coming too late.
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
For a long time many believed that the Ivory Bill Woodpecker to be extinct but in recent years it’s status has come into questions with people claiming to have seen it. There are not any clear pictures to confirms that this species is still alive. Their downfall was ultimately due to habitat loss.
Photo by Bailey Bergman
Photo by Bailey Bergman
Carolina Parakeet
On February 21st, 1918 the last of the Carolina Parakeet died in captivity. This species also met it’s demise at the hand of humans. Hunting and habitat loss were the start to them going extinct, with disease being the last straw. It was noted that hunting these birds was easy because they would come back to a dead or dying bird to try and help it and hunters would then pick off more.
Photo by Bailey Bergman
Species Spotlights 