The Extinction of Carrier Pigeons

See also, Pigeons and the World of Fine Art

Carrier pigeons, also known as passenger pigeons, were once a common species of bird in North America. They were so named because they were used to carry messages over long distances before the advent of modern telecommunications.

However, the population of carrier pigeons declined rapidly in the late 19th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. These birds were easy targets for hunters, who would often trap and kill them in large numbers for food, sport, and commercial purposes.

By the early 20th century, the carrier pigeon population had declined so drastically that the last known individual, a female named Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. With her death, the species was declared extinct.

The extinction of the carrier pigeon is considered to be one of the most tragic examples of human-induced extinction in history. The loss of this species had profound ecological and cultural impacts, as it played an important role in the ecosystem and was an important cultural and historical symbol for many people.

Today, efforts are being made to prevent similar extinctions from happening in the future, through conservation efforts and regulations aimed at protecting endangered species and their habitats.