The extinction of passenger pigeons
The consequences of humans
Martha- Last known Passenger pigeon- Cincinnati Zoo
The passenger pigeon was once considered one of the most abundant species of birds in North America. They could be seen by the millions in the sky as they flocked. The species were highly social and always traveled in huge groups. They would often cover the sky in darkness as they flew past. They had been hunted for their tasty younger members known as squabs for many years sustainably by indigenous groups. After the US population grew immensely in the 1850’s to 1900’s the hunting of the species got out of hand. Many conservationists attempted to bring forth how the species was at risk with the current hunting practices. Unfortunately the birds continued to be hunted because of a fallacy that the species were far too abundant to be at risk of extinction. Due to the interference of humans these birds that were known as possibly one of the most abundant species of birds in the entire world have now gone extinct. The very last passenger pigeon as far as we know died on September 1, 1914. Her name was Martha and she was held in captivity in the Cincinnati zoo until she passed away. The sole blame for the extinction of the passenger pigeon can be given to humans. The main factors that contributed to the extinction of this species are, loss of habitat due to deforestation, the commercialization of passenger pigeon meat, and improper hunting practices. All of which were a direct result of human interference. The extinction of this species has led to many new regulations and rules around sustainable hunting practices. To ensure the livelihood of all animals, protecting the ecosystems in which animals live is crucial to the future existence of animals.
One of the main reasons for the extinction of the passenger pigeon is the loss of their habitat due to deforestation. The blue highlighted area on the map shows the passenger pigeon habitat. This area was once filled with a forest called the Eastern deciduous forest and housed many species including the passenger pigeon. The deforestation and industrialization led to most of this area becoming the lively cities that we know today.
The species mainly lived in the eastern deciduous forest that is shown on colored sections of the map. The forest had many different regions, most of the nesting colonies of the passenger pigeon was located in the green highlighted area named Appalachian oak section. In the 18th and 19th century most of this forest was cleared for agriculture, timber, fuelwood, and urban expansion. It is estimated that now only 0.1% of this area is undisturbed while 82.6% is human dominated.
Without having abundant nesting areas the reproduction of the species slowed. Not only did the deforestation lead to a loss of nesting areas but also a loss of food. The passenger pigeons would eat acorns, chestnuts, and beech mast; after the deforestation not only were there less of these resources but the pigeon population had to now share these resources with domesticated pigs and other animals that came along with the new farm lands.
Statista.com- US population 1850 (23,600) to 1914 (102,000).
In 1850’s to 1900’s the US population grew almost three times in size because of immigration and high birth rate; this led to many more people hunting the pigeons and the demand for pigeon meat grew greatly. Prior to this the pigeons were hunted by indigenous people however it was not anywhere near to the scale the species were hunted after the surge in population. The technological advances of railroads, telegraphs and rifles at this time also aided the hunters in killing as many birds as they could.
Railcar full of 300,000 pigeons heading to the market.
The railroad connected nesting sites of the pigeons to the markets of the east. The creation of refrigerated rail cars also allowed thousands upon thousands of pigeons to be sent back to the markets from nesting colonies. Much of the hunting took place in times of the year that would prove to be most lethal to the population. Disturbances to the nesting colonies as well as the killing of adults and squabs led to lower rates of reproduction among the species. A single rail car could carry up to 300,000 dead pigeons.
The passenger pigeon species was so abundant in North America that they would often cover the entire sky in a cloud of black as they all flocked in the sky. However, since they were so visibly abundant it led to the misconception that they could never go extinct. Many people hunted the birds by the thousands as they fell victim to the fallacy that the species couldn't go extinct.
“…The numbers are so great the sky itself begins to darken. Within a minute or two it is no longer possible to pick out individual birds; the multitude forms one dark, solid block. The sun is blotted out.” Errol Fuller, The Passenger Pigeon
In 1857 there was a bill brought to the Ohio state legislature asking for the protection of the passenger pigeon however a committee of the senate filed a report saying:
"The passenger pigeon needs no protection. Wonderfully prolific, having the vast forests of the North as its breeding grounds, traveling hundreds of miles in search of food, it is here today and elsewhere tomorrow, and no ordinary destruction can lessen them, or be missed from the myriads that are yearly produced."
Environmental conservationists were unable to put a stop to the mass killings. In the Michigan legislature a bill was passed making it illegal to net pigeons in a three kilometer area of nesting sites however it was not enforced effectively. By the mid 1890’s it was too late. The passenger pigeons had almost disappeared. Passenger pigeons could only reproduce in huge flocks and the smaller groups that were left were unable to reproduce effectively.
The artwork titled Shooting Wild Pigeons in Northern Louisiana is based on a sketch by Smith Bennett and appeared in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News of July 3, 1875. Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News/Wikimedia Commons
Julian Pender Hume, cover Extinct Birds, accessed Errol Fuller, The Passenger Pigeon
In conclusion ensuring ecosystems are protected properly and over consumption is kept in check is important to the continued existence of all species. Humans are to blame for the extinction of the passenger pigeon. We failed in our duty to protect our ecosystems and species that contribute to them. Humans impacted the passenger pigeons to the point that we can no longer see the beautiful flocks of the passenger pigeons take over the sky with their cloud of darkness and we can no longer enjoy the tasty dishes made with squab meat. Passenger pigeons lost their habitats because of the immense deforestation and the unsustainable hunting practices used during the time. Many factors worked together to wipe out the entity of the species. The technological advances of railways and telegraphs along with the fallacy that it was impossible for the birds to go extinct both aided the unsuitable hunting practices. Since the extinction of this bird humans have been more conscious of their hunting practices as well as the effects they have on ecosystems. We humans have since learned our lesson and have been more conscious of the implication our actions have.
