List of extinct birds.html
 
| ca | de | en | es | fr | it | nl | no | pl | pt | ru | ro | fi | sv | tr | vo |


 

This page refers only to birds that have gone extinct since the year 1500 A.D./C.E. and usually were subject to scientific study while alive.
For a list of early taxa of birds known only from fossils, see List of fossil birds.
For birds extinct in Late Quaternary prehistoric times and usually known from specimens not completely fossilized, see Late Quaternary prehistoric birds.

Since 1500, over 190 species of birds have become extinct, and this rate of extinction seems to be increasing. The situation is exemplified by Hawaii, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird taxa originally lived. Other areas, such as Guam, have also been hard hit; Guam has lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the last 30 years, many of them due to the introduced Brown Tree Snake.

There are today about 10,000 species of birds, with roughly 1200 considered to be under threat of extinction. Except for a dozen or so species the threat is man-made.

Island species in general, and flightless island species in particular are most at risk. The disproportionate number of rails in the list reflects the tendency of that family to lose the ability to fly when geographically isolated. Even more rails became extinct before they could be described by scientists; these taxa are listed in Later Quaternary Prehistoric Birds.

The extinction dates given below are usually approximations of the actual date of extinction. In some cases, more exact dates are given as it is sometimes possible to pinpoint the date of extinction to a specific year or even day (the San Benedicto Rock Wren is possibly the most extreme example—its extinction could be timed with an accuracy of maybe half an hour). Extinction dates in the literature are usually the dates of the last verified record (credible observation or specimen taken); in many Pacific birds which became extinct shortly after European contact, however, this leaves an uncertainty period of over a century because the islands on which they used to occur were only rarely visited by scientists.

Dodo, based on Roelant Savery's 1626 painting of a stuffed specimen – note the two same-side feet.

Contents

Extinct bird species

Struthioniformes

King Island Emu

The Ostrich and related ratites.

  • Elephant Bird, Aepyornis maximus and/or A. medius (Madagascar, 16th century?)
The taxonomy of the elephant birds is not fully resolved; it is certain that at least one taxon survived until some 1000 years ago at least. Judging from geographical data, A. maximus and the smaller A. medius are possibilities.
  • Upland Moa, Megalapteryx didinus (South Island, New Zealand, late 15th century?)
Generally believed to have been extinct by 1500, this is the only Moa species that according to current knowledge might have survived until later times, possibly as late as the 1830s.
Extinct in the wild c. 1805, the last captive specimen died in 1822 in the Jardin des Plantes.
  • Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus (Kangaroo Island, Australia, 1827)
  • West Coast Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx occidentalis (South Island, New Zealand, c. 1900)
A doubtful form known from a single bird; may be a Little Spotted Kiwi subspecies or a hybrid between that species and the Rowi.

Anseriformes

Labrador Duck

Ducks, geese and swans.

A relict species from Northeast Asia. Officially critically endangered due to recent unconfirmed reports.
  • Réunion Shelduck, Alopochen kervazoi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1690s)
  • Mauritian Shelduck, Alopochen mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c.1695)
  • Amsterdam Island Duck, Anas marecula (Amsterdam Island, South Indian Ocean, c.1800)
  • Mauritian Duck, Anas theodori (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, late 1690s)
  • Mariana Mallard, Anas oustaleti (Marianas, West Pacific, 1981)
  • Finsch's Duck, Chenonetta finschi from New Zealand possibly survived to 1870
  • Pink-headed Duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (East India, Bangladesh, North Myanmar, 1945?) – a reclassification into the genus Netta is recommended but not generally accepted.
Officially critically endangered; recent surveys have failed to rediscover it.
  • Réunion Pochard, Aythya cf. innotata (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1690s)
A bone of a pochard found on Réunion seems to resolve the reports of canards other than the Mauritian Duck having occurred on the island. The taxonomic status of this form cannot be resolved until more material is found, however.

Galliformes

New Zealand Quail

Quails and relatives.

  • The Pile-builder Megapode, Megapodius molistructor may have survived on New Caledonia to the late 18th century as evidenced by descriptions of the bird named "Tetrao australis" and later "Megapodius andersoni".
  • The Viti Levu Scrubfowl, Megapodius amissus of Viti Levu and possibly Kadavu, Fiji, may have survived to the early 19th or even the 20th century as suggested by circumstantial evidence.
  • Raoul Island Scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, 1876)
A megapode is said to have inhabited Raoul Island until the population was wiped out in a volcanic eruption. It is not clear whether the birds represent a distinct taxon or derive from a prehistoric introduction by Polynesian seafarers.
Officially critically endangered. Not recorded with certainty since 1876, but thorough surveys are still required, and there is a recent set of possible (though unlikely) sightings around Naini Tal in 2003. A little-known native name from Western Nepal probably refers to this bird, but for various reasons, no survey for Ophrysia has ever been conducted in that country, nor is it generally assumed to occur there (due to the native name being overlooked).
  • The Double-banded Argus, Argusianus bipunctatus, was described based on a single aberrant feather piece from an unknown locality found in 1871. This is apparently a rather simple developmental aberration.

Charadriiformes

Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), Natural History Museum, London, England

Shorebirds, gulls and auks.

Officially classified as critically endangered, but as this conspicuous bird has not been recorded since 1940, it is almost certainly extinct.
Doubtfully distinct from P. leucoptera.
  • Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis (Northern North America, late 20th century?)
May still exist; officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
May still exist; officially classified as critically endangered. A few birds were recorded in 2004, following several decades of increasing rarity. There was an unconfirmed sighting in Albania in 2007.
Later sightings of black oystercatchers off Senegal were not likely to be of this sedentary species, but two records from Tenerife - the last in 1981 - may be.

Gruiformes

Rails and allies.
"Leguat's Giant" or géant, a hypothetical giant rail from the Mascarenes described as Leguatia gigantea, is based on his descriptions of flamingos, as Leguat was not familiar with their French name flamand or thought that it referred to other birds (it was in his time sometimes used for spoonbills, for example).

Tahitian Red-billed Rail
  • Antillean Cave-rail, Nesotrochis debooyi from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands possibly survived into the Modern Era.
  • Hawkins' Rail, Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, 19th century)
  • Red Rail, Aphanapteryx bonasia (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1700)
  • Rodrigues Rail, Aphanapteryx leguati (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
  • Bar-winged Rail, Nesoclopeus poecilopterus (Fiji, Polynesia, c. 1980)
  • New Caledonian Rail, Gallirallus lafresnayanus (New Caledonia, Melanesia, c. 1990?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, the last records were in 1984 and it seems that all available habitat is overrun by feral pigs and dogs, which prey on this bird.
  • Wake Island Rail, Gallirallus wakensis (Wake Island, Micronesia, 1945)
  • Tahiti Rail, Gallirallus pacificus (Tahiti, Society Islands, late 18th – 19th century)
  • Dieffenbach's Rail, Gallirallus dieffenbachii (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, mid-19th century)
  • Sharpe's Rail, Gallirallus sharpei (Indonesia?, 20th century?)
A bird known from a single skin of unknown origin. A research project has been proposed to shed light on its relationships and possible place of origin.
  • Vava'u Rail, Gallirallus cf. vekamatolu (Vava'u, Tonga, early 19th century?)
This bird is known only from a drawing by the 1793 Malaspina expedition, apparently depicting a species of Gallirallus. The 'Eua Rail, Gallirallus vekamatolu, is known from prehistoric bones found on 'Eua, but this species is almost certainly not G. vekamatolu, as that bird was flightless and hence is unlikely to have settled 3 distant islands. However, it probably was a close relative.
Hawaiian Rail
  • The Norfolk Island Rail, Gallirallus sp. may be the bird shown on a bad watercolor illustration made around 1800.
  • Chatham Rail, Cabalus modestus (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, c. 1900)
  • Réunion Rail, Dryolimnas augusti (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century)
  • Red-throated Wood-rail, Aramides gutturalis (Peru, 20th century?)
Usually considered a badly prepared specimen of the Grey-necked Wood Rail, the single known individual of this bird may prove a distinct species though.
  • Ascension Flightless Crake, Mundia elpenor (Ascension, Island, Atlantic, late 17th century) – formerly Atlantisia
  • St Helena Crake, Porzana astrictocarpus (St Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)
  • Laysan Rail, Porzana palmeri (Laysan Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1944)
  • Hawaiian Rail, Porzana sandwichensis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, c. 1890)
  • Kosrae Island Crake, Porzana monasa (Kosrae, Carolines, c. mid-late 19th century)
  • Miller's Crake, Porzana nigra (Tahiti, Society Islands, c. 1800)
Known only from paintings and descriptions; taxonomic status uncertain as the material is often believed to refer to the extant Spotless Crake.
The Laysan Rail was an omnivore
  • St Helena Swamphen, Aphanocrex podarces (St Helena, Atlantic, 16th century) – formerly Atlantisia
  • Lord Howe Swamphen, Porphyrio albus (Lord Howe Island, SW Pacific, early 19th century)
  • Réunion Swamphen or Oiseau bleu, Porphyrio coerulescens (Réunion, Mascarenes, 18th century)
Known only from descriptions. Former existence of a Porphyrio on Réunion is fairly certain, but not proven to date.
May have survived to c. 1900. In the lower right corner of Paul Gauguin's 1902 painting Le Sorcier d'Hiva Oa ou le Marquisien à la cape rouge there is a bird which reminds of native descriptions of P. paepae.
  • The North Island Takahē, Porphyrio mantelli known from subfossil bones found on North Island, New Zealand, may have survived to 1894 or later.
  • New Caledonia Swamphen, Porphyrio kukwiedei from New Caledonia, Melanesia, may have survived into historic times. The native name n'dino is thought to refer to this bird.
  • Samoan Wood Rail, Gallinula pacifica (Savai'i, Samoa, 1907?)
Probably better placed in the genus Pareudiastes, unconfirmed reports from the late 20th century suggest it still survives in small numbers, and therefore it is officially classified as critically endangered.
Lord Howe Swamphen
  • Makira Wood Rail, Gallinula silvestris (Makira, Solomon Islands, mid-20th century?)
Only known from a single specimen, this rail is probably better placed in its own genus, Edithornis. There are some unconfirmed recent records that suggest it still survives, and thus it is officially classified as critically endangered.
  • Tristan Moorhen, Gallinula nesiotis (Tristan da Cunha, Atlantic, late 19th century)
  • Mascarene Coot, Fulica newtoni (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700)
  • Rallidae gen. et sp. indet.
Unknown rail from Amsterdam Island, one specimen found but not recovered. Extinct by 1800 or may have been straggler of extant species.
  • Fernando de Noronha Rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Fernando de Noronha, W. Atlantic, 16th century?)
A distinct species of rail inhabited Fernando de Noronha island, but it has not been formally described yet. Probably was extant at Western contact.
  • Tahitian "Goose", Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Tahiti, late 18th century?)
Early travellers to Tahiti reported a "goose" that was found in the mountains. Altogether, a species of the rail genus Porphyrio seems the most likely choice.

Podicipediformes

Grebes.

  • Colombian Grebe, Podiceps andinus (Bogotá area, Colombia, 1977)
  • Alaotra Grebe, Tachybaptus rufolavatus (Lake Alaotra, Madagascar, late 1980s?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct, declined through habitat destruction and hybridization with the Little Grebe. Disappeared from only known location in the 1980s.

Ciconiiformes

Herons and related birds.
The "Painted Vulture" (Sarcorhamphus sacra), a Floridan bird supposedly similar to the King Vulture, seems based on a misidentification of the Crested Caracara. See King Vulture article for discussion.

Sometimes assigned to the genus Nycticorax
Known only from subfossil bones, but the description of a flightless Ascension bird by F. André Thevet cannot be identified with anything other than this species.
Long considered to be vagrant individuals of the Australian Little Bittern, bones recovered from Holocene deposits indicate that this was indeed a distinct taxon, but it might not be a separate species.
This species was the basis of the "Réunion Solitaire", a supposed relative of the Dodo and the Rodrigues Solitaire. Given the fact that ibis (but no dodo-like) bones were found on Réunion and that old descriptions match a flightless Sacred Ibis quite well, the "Réunion Solitaire" hypothesis has been refuted.

Pelecaniformes

Cormorants and related birds.

Procellariiformes

Petrels, shearwaters, albatrosses and storm-petrels.

Possibly a subspecies of the Black-capped Petrel; unconfirmed reports suggest it might survive. Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
  • Pterodroma cf. leucoptera (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, 20th century?)
A wing of a carcass similar to Gould's Petrel was recovered on Mangareva in 1922, where it possibly bred. No such birds are known to exist there today.
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct, but a thorough survey in 2000 concluded the species was certainly extinct.

Sphenisciformes

Penguins

  • The Chatham Islands Penguin, Eudyptes sp. (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific), is only known from subfossil bones, but a bird kept captive at some time between 1867 and 1872 might refer to this taxon.

Columbiformes

Male Passenger Pigeon

Pigeons, doves and dodos.

  • St Helena Dove, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos, possibly survived into the Modern Era.
  • Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (Eastern North America, 1914)
The passenger pigeon was once probably the most common bird in the world, a single flock numbering up to several billion birds. It was hunted close to extinction for food and sport in the late 19th century. The last individual died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
  • The Silvery Pigeon, Columba argentina, has not been reliably observed since 1931 and may be extinct. It is difficult to distinguish from the common Pied Imperial Pigeon, however.
  • Bonin Woodpigeon, Columba versicolor (Nakodo-jima and Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, c. 1890)
  • Ryukyu Woodpigeon, Columba jouyi (Okinawa and Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, late 1930s)
  • Réunion Pink Pigeon, Streptopelia duboisi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700)
Its generic allocation is not fully resolved. There seems to have been at least another species of pigeon on Réunion (probably an Alectroenas), but bones have not yet been found. It disappeared at the same time.
Its generic allocation is not fully resolved. A possible subspecies of the Madagascar Turtle Dove, this seems not to be the bird observed by Leguat. Introduced rats might have killed it off in the late 17th century.
Choiseul Crested Pigeon
Also known as the Spotted Green Pigeon, the only known specimen has been in Liverpool Museum since 1851 and was probably collected on a Pacific island for Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. It has been suggested that this bird came from Tahiti based on native lore about a somewhat similar extinct bird called titi, but this has not been verified.
Officially listed as critically endangered. Only known from 2 specimens taken in 1891, there have been a number of unconfirmed reports from all over the Sulu Archipelago in 1995. However, these reports stated that the bird had suddenly undergone a massive decline, and by now, habitat destruction is almost complete. If not extinct, this species is very rare, but the ongoing civil war prevents comprehensive surveys.
Only known from descriptions of 2 now-lost specimens.
Last recorded in 1927, only 2 specimens exist. Declared extinct in 2005.
Two subspecies, the little-known P. m. mercierii of Nuku Hiva (extinct mid-late 19th century) and P. m. tristrami of Hiva Oa.
Mauritius Blue Pigeon
Known only from one specimen taken at the only documented sighting in 1953, the validity of this species has been questioned, but no good alternative to distinct species status has been proposed. Officially critically endangered, it might occur on Panay, but no survey has located it. One possible record in 2002 seems not to have been followed up.
  • Mauritius Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissima (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1830s)
  • Farquhar Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas sp. (Farquhar Group, Seychelles, 19th century)
Only known from early reports; possibly a subspecies of the Comoro or Seychelles Blue Pigeon.
A mysterious bird of unknown affinities, known from a few bones and, as it seems, two historical reports.
  • Dodo, Raphus cucullatus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, late 17th century)
Called Didus ineptus by Linnaeus. A meter-high flightless bird found on Mauritius. Its forest habitat was lost when Dutch settlers moved to the island and the dodo's nests were destroyed by the monkeys, pigs, and cats the Dutch brought with them. The last specimen was killed in 1681, only 80 years after the arrival of the new predators.

Psittaciformes

Parrots.

Mounted specimen of Conuropsis carolinensis, Museum Wiesbaden, Germany
Officially critically endangered, there have been no reliable reports of this bird since the early 20th century. It is, however, small and inconspicuous.
  • Norfolk Island Kākā, Nestor productus (Norfolk and Philip Islands, SW Pacific, 1851?)
  • Society Parakeet, Cyanoramphus ulietanus (Raiatea, Society Islands, late 18th century)
  • Black-fronted Parakeet, Cyanoramphus zealandicus (Tahiti, Society Islands, c. 1850)
  • Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus (Rockhampton area, Australia, late 1920s)
  • The Night Parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis, officially critically endangered, is a mysterious species which is possibly close to extinction. It was only reliably recorded twice in the late 20th century, the last time in 1991. More probably, it still persists in small numbers as an immature bird was found dead in Diamantina National Park in late 2006.
  • The Oceanic Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus infectus, known from subfossil bones found on Tonga, Vanuatu, and possibly Fiji, may have survived until the 18th century: a bird which seems to be a male Eclectus parrot was drawn in a report on the Tongan island of Vavaʻu by the Malaspina expedition. Also a 19th century Tongan name ʻāʻā ("parrot") for "a beautiful bird found only at ʻEua" is attested (see here under "Kaka"). This seems to refer either E. infectus which in Tonga is only known from Vavaʻu and ʻEua, or the extirpated population of the Collared Lory which also occurred there. It is possible but unlikely that the species survived on ʻEua until the 19th century.
Seychelles Parakeet
  • Seychelles Parakeet, Psittacula wardi (Seychelles, W Indian Ocean, 1883)
  • Newton's Parakeet, Psittacula exsul (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c. 1875)
  • Thirioux's Grey Parrot, Psittacula bensoni (Mauritius, possible Réunion as Psittacula cf bensoni). Formerly described as Mauritius Grey Parrot, Lophopsittacus bensoni. Known from a 1602 sketch by Captain Willem van West-Zanen and by subfossil bones described by David Thomas Holyoak in 1973. Might have survive to the mid 18th century.
  • Mascarene Parrot, Mascarinus mascarinus (Réunion and possibly Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1834?)
Last known individual was a captive bird which was alive before 1834.
May have survived to the late 18th century.
  • Rodrigues Parrot, Necropsittacus rodericanus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, late 18th century)
The species N. francicus is fictional, N. borbonicus most likely so.
  • Glaucous Macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus (N Argentina, early 20th century)
Officially critically endangered due to persistent rumours of wild birds, but probably extinct.
A number of related species have been described from the West Indies, but are not based on good evidence. Several prehistoric forms are now known to have existed in the region, however.
Norfolk Island Kākā
Although the date of the last captive bird's death in the Cincinnati Zoo, 1918, is generally given as extinction date, there are convincing reports of some wild populations persisting until later. Two subspecies, C. c. carolinensis (east and south of the Appalachian range – extinct 1918 or c. 1930) and C. c. ludovicianus (Louisiana Parakeet, west of the Appalachian range – extinct early 1910s).
Only known from descriptions, the former existence of this bird is likely for biogeographic reasons and because details as described cannot be referred to known species.
Recently recognized as a distinct species, this bird has a very restricted distribution and was last reliably recorded in 1940. It was not found during searches in 2004 and 2006 and seems to be extinct; relocation efforts continue but are hampered by the threat of armed conflict.
The extinct amazon parrots were originally described after travelers' descriptions. Both are now considered valid extinct species closely related to the Imperial Amazon.

Cuculiformes

Cuckoos.

Falconiformes

Birds of prey.

  • Cuban Kite, Chondrohierax wilsonii (Cuba, West Indies, early 2000s?)
Often considered a subspecies of the Hook-billed Kite, it is at least critically endangered. While a small remnant probably survives in eastern Cuba, it has not been seen for some years; recent efforts to find the birds have hitherto drawn a blank but continue.
  • The Bermuda Hawk, Bermuteo avivorus, known from Late Quaternary bones from Bermuda (W Atlantic), might have survived to the early 17th centurycitation needed
  • Guadalupe Caracara, Polyborus lutosus (Guadelupe, E Pacific, 1900 or 1903)
  • Réunion Kestrel, Falco duboisi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700)

Strigiformes

Laughing Owl

Typical owls and barn-owls.

  • Réunion Owl, Mascarenotus grucheti (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century?)
  • Mauritius Owl, Mascarenotus sauzieri (Mauritus, Mascarenes, c. 1850)
  • Rodrigues Owl, Mascarenotus murivorus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
The preceding two species were variously placed in Bubo, Athene, "Scops" (=Otus), Strix, and Tyto before their true affinity was realized.
Known only from prehistoric bones, but might still survive.
Two subspecies, S. a. albifacies (South Island and Stewart Island, extinct 1914?) and S. a. rufifacies (North Island, extinct c. 1870s?) – circumstantial evidence suggests small remnants survived until the early/mid-20th century.
  • The Puerto Rican Barn-owl, Tyto cavatica, known from prehistoric remains found in caves of Puerto Rico, West Indies, may still have existed in 1912 given reports of the presence of cave-roosting owls.
  • The Bahaman Barn-owl, Tyto pollens, known from prehistoric remains found on Andros (Bahamas), may have survived to the 16th century as indicated by the "Chickcharnie" legend.
  • Siau Scops-owl Otus siaoensis (20th century?)
Only known from the holotype collected in 1866. Endemic to the small volcanic island of Siau north of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Might still survive as there are ongoing rumours of scops-owls at Siau.

Caprimulgiformes

Caprimulgidae - Nightjars and nighthawks.
Reclusive ground-nesting birds that sally out at night to hunt for large insects and similar prey. They are easily located by the males' song, but this is not given all year. Habitat destruction represents currently the biggest threat, while island populations are threatened by introduced mammalian predators, notably dogs, cats, pigs and mongoose.

  • Jamaican Pauraque, Siphonorhis americana (Jamaica, West Indies, late 19th century?)
Reports of unidentifiable nightjars from the 1980s in habitat appropriate for S. americana suggest that this cryptic species may still exist. Research into this possibility is currently underway; pending further information, it is classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
  • Cuban Pauraque, Siphonorhis daiquiri (Cuba, West Indies, prehistoric?)
Described from subfossil bones in 1985. There are persistent rumors that this bird, which was never seen alive by scientists, may still survive. Compare Puerto Rican Nightjar and preceding.

Vaurie's Nightjar (Caprimulgus centralasicus) is only known from a single 1929 specimen from Xinjiang, China. It has never been found again, but the validity of this supposed species is seriously disputed. It was never refuted to be an immature female desert European Nightjar.
The Nechisar Nightjar (Caprimulgus solala) is known only from a single preserved wing of a bird roadkilled on the Nechisar plains in Ethiopia in 1990. Unlikely to be extinct, no dedicated effort has been made to relocate it.

Apodiformes

Swifts and hummingbirds.

Known only from 3 trade specimens of unknown origin. Might still exist.
Sometimes separated in Saucerottia and/or considered a subspecies of the Indigo-capped Hummingbird (as A./S. cyanifrons alfaroana), this bird is known only from a late 19th century specimen and has never been seen since.
A mysterious bird known only from a single specimen of unknown origin. Might be a hybrid (although the specimen is very distinct) or might still exist.
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Known only from 6 pre-1900 specimens, the habitat at the only known site where it occurred has been destroyed. However, the bird's distribution remains unresolved.

Coraciiformes

Kingfishers and related birds.

  • Ryūkyū Kingfisher, Todiramphus (cinnamominus) miyakoensis (Miyako-jima, Ryukyu Islands, late 19th century)
This was probably a subspecies of the Micronesian Kingfisher Todiramphus cinnamominus. Only seen once by scientists, in 1887; the specimen taken is somewhat damaged, making identification by other than molecular analysis difficult.
  • Giant Hoopoe, Upupa antaois (St Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)

Piciformes

Woodpeckers and related birds.

This 60-centimeter-long woodpecker is officially listed as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Occasional unconfirmed reports come up, the most recent in late 2005.
  • There is much uncertainty on whether the North American Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis principalis) was indeed rediscovered in the White River National Wildlife Refuge of Arkansas in 2004. The Cuban Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis bairdii) was last seen in 1987 and is generally considered extinct, but there are a few patches of habitat not yet surveyed.

Passeriformes

Perching birds.

The famous Stephens Island Wren, victim of feral cats

Acanthisittidae – New Zealand "wrens"

The species famously (but erroneously) claimed to have been made extinct by a single cat named "Tibbles".
  • Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes (New Zealand, 1972)
3 subspecies: X. l. stokesi (North Island, extinct 1955); X. l. longipes (South Island, extinct 1968(; X. l. variabilis (Stewart Island, extinct 1972).

Formicariidae – antpittas and antthrushes

Officially Critically Endangered, this species has not been recorded since 1956 and although some habitat still exists, it was not found in dedicated searches in the 1990s. Nevertheles, its voice – generally the primary mean for locating antpittas – remains unknown, making surveys difficult.

Meliphagidae – honeyeaters and Australian chats

  • Kioea, Chaetoptila angustipluma (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1860s)
  • Hawaiʻi ʻŌʻō, Moho nobilis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1930s)
  • Oʻahu ʻŌʻō, Moho apicalis (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands, mid-19th century)
  • Molokaʻi ʻŌʻō, Moho bishopi (Molokaʻi and probably Maui, Hawaiian Islands, c. 1910 or 1980s)
  • Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō, Moho braccatus (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, 1987)
  • Chatham Island Bellbird, Anthornis melanocephala (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1910)
Unconfirmed records exist from the early-mid 1950s
Hawaiʻi ʻŌʻō

Acanthizidae – scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones

Pachycephalidae – whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies

  • Mangarevan Whistler, ?Pachycephala gambierana (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, late 19th century?)
A mysterious bird of which no specimen exists today. It was initially described as a shrike, then classified as an Eopsalteria "robin", and may actually be an Acrocephalus warbler.

Dicruridae – monarch flycatchers and allies

  • Maupiti Monarch, Pomarea pomarea (Maupiti, Society Islands, mid-19th century)
  • Eiao Monarch, Pomarea fluxa (Eiao, Marquesas, late 1970s)
Previously considered a subspecies of the Iphis Monarch, this is an early offspring of the Marquesan stock.
Previously considered a subspecies of the Marquesas Monarch, this is another early offspring of the Marquesan stock.
Previously considered another subspecies of the Marquesas Monarch, this was a distinct species most closely related to that bird and the Fatuhiva Monarch.

Corvidae – crows, ravens, magpies and jays

  • Banggai Crow, Corvus unicolor (Banggai or Peleng Island, Indonesia, 20th century?)
Officially critically endangered, it is known only from two specimens taken on an unspecified island at some date in the late 19th century, probably in 1884 or 1885. Possible sightings in 1981 and 1991, but no unequivocal recent records and amount of habitat destruction suggest this species is extinct.


Vangidae – vangas

An enigmatic bird known only from 2 recently fledged juveniles collected in 1931, it was not found during a thorough search in 1996.

†Turnagridae – piopios

Not reliably recorded since about 1900.
Two subspecies, T. c. minor from Stephens Island (extinct c. 1897) and the nominate T. c. capensis from the South Island mainland (last specimen taken in 1902, last unconfirmed record in 1963)
Male (front) and female (back) Huia

Callaeidae – New Zealand wattlebirds

  • Huia, Heteralocha acutirostris (North Island, New Zealand, early 20th century)

Hirundinidae – swallows and martins

Officially critically endangered, this enigmatic species is only known from migrating birds and it was last seen in 1986 at its former roost site. Recent unconfirmed repors suggest it may occur in Cambodia.
  • Red Sea Swallow, Petrochelidon perdita (Red Sea area, late 20th century?)
Known from a single specimen, this enigmatic swallow probably still exists, but the lack of recent records is puzzling. It is alternatively placed in the genus Hirundo.

Megaluridae – megalurid warblers or grass warblers

Often placed in genus Megalurus, but this is based on an incomplete review of the evidence.

Cisticolidae – cisticolas and allies

A mysterious bird, found in the Tana River basin in small numbers at various dates, but not since 1972. Probably invalid, based on aberrant or hybrid specimens. An unconfirmed sighting was apparently made in 2007 in the Tana River Delta.

Zosteropidae – white-eyes. Probably belong into Timaliidae.

Timaliidae – Old World babblers

Known from a single mid-19th century specimen, this bird may be extinct or could still exist. If the specimen label, usually considered erroneous in claiming "Java" as the bird's origin, is correct, it may have gone extinct earlier.

Sylvioidea incertae sedis

Acrocephalidae – Marsh- and tree-warblers

Last reliable sighting was in 1981. Survey in 1986/1987 remained unsuccessful. A photograph of a warbler from Moorea in 1998 or 1999 taken by Philippe Bacchet remains uncertain.
Kāmaʻo

Muscicapidae – Old World flycatchers and chats

An enigmatic bird known from 2 or 4 possibly migrant specimens, last recorded in 1918. Might exist in NE Indochina and might be a subspecies of the Hainan Blue Flycatcher.

Turdidae – thrushes and allies

  • Grand Cayman Thrush, Turdus ravidus (Grand Cayman, West Indies, late 1940s)
  • Bonin Thrush, Zoothera terrestris (Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, c. 1830s)
  • ʻĀmaui, Myadestes woahensis (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands, mid-19th century)
  • Kāmaʻo, Myadestes myadestinus (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, 1990s)
  • Olomaʻo, Myadestes lanaiensis (Hawaiian Islands, 1980s?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct because a possible location on Molokaʻi remains unsurveyed. Two subspecies are known from Lanaʻi (M. l. lanaiensis, extinct early 1930s), Molokaʻi (M. l. rutha, extinct 1980s?) and a possible third subspecies from Maui (extinct before late 19th century).

Sturnidae – starlings

Bourbon Crested Starling
Two subspecies, A. f. fusca – Norfolk Island Starling (extinct c. 1923); A. fusca hulliana – Lord Howe Starling (extinct c. 1919).
Only one reliable record since 1956, in 1995, leaves the species' survival seriously in doubt.
  • Bay Starling, Aplonis? ulietensis (Raiatea, Society Islands, between 1774 and 1850)
Usually called "Bay Thrush" (Turdus ulietensis); a mysterious bird from Raiatea, now only known from a painting and some descriptions of a (now lost) specimen. Its taxonomic position is thus unresolvable at present, although for biogeographic reasons and because of the surviving description, it has been suggested to have been a honeyeater. However, with the discovery of fossils of the prehistorically extinct starling Aplonis diluvialis on neighboring Huahine, it seems likely that this bird also belonged to this genus.
The bird variously described as Testudophaga bicolor, Necropsar leguati or Orphanopsar leguati which was considered to be identical with N. rodericanus (which is only known from fossils) was finally resolved to be based on a misidentified partially albinistic specimen of the Martinique Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis)

Mimidae – mockingbirds and thrashers

The most recent possible extinction on this list. It is still unknown whether the tiny population rediscovered in 2004 survived Hurricanes Emily and Wilma in 2005. Unconfirmed records in April 2006 and October and December 2007.
Bachman's Warbler

Estrildidae – estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc)

An enigmatic waxbill not seen since 1950; because part of its habitat is in Upemba National Park it may survive.

Icteridae – grackles

Parulidae – New World warblers

Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct
Officially Critically Endangered. Suitable habitat remains, and there have been unconfirmed records withint the last decade.

Ploceidae – Weavers

  • Foudia delloni, new name for the Réunion Fody (Cheke & Hume 2008), known from travel reports by Gabriel Dellon in 1668 and Dubois (1674), Foudia bruante (S. Müller 1776) might be a colour morph of the Madagascar Weaver (Cheke & Hume 2008)2

Fringillidae – true finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers

An enigmatic bird known from just 2 specimens collected in 1929. The region where they were taken is politically highly sensitive and consequently difficult to visit. As no threats are known, probably still extant.
  • Bonin Grosbeak, Chaunoproctus ferreorostris (Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, 1830s)
  • ʻŌʻū, Psittirostra psittacea (Hawaiian Islands, c. 2000?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct, this was once the most widespread species of Hawaiian honeycreeper. It has not been reliably recorded since 1987 or 1989.
Hawaiʻi Mamo
  • Pila's Palila, Loxioides kikuichi (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands), possibly survived to the early 18th century.
  • Lesser Koa Finch, Rhodacanthus flaviceps (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1891)
  • Greater Koa Finch, Rhodacanthus palmeri (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1896)
  • Kona Grosbeak, Psittirostra kona (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1894)
  • Greater ʻAmakihi, Hemignathus sagittirostris (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1901)
  • Nukupuʻu, Hemignathus lucidus (Hawaiian Islands, c. 2000?)
The subspecies from Oʻahu (H. l. lucidus) has been extinct since the late 19th century, that of Kauaʻi (H. l. hanapepe) most probably since the late 1990s and that of Maui (H. l. affinis) has not been reliably seen since 1995. It is currently classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
  • Hawaiʻi ʻAkialoa or Lesser ʻAkialoa, Hemignathus obscurus (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1940)
Sometimes placed in genus Akialoa (as A. obscura).
  • Greater ʻAkialoa, Hemignathus ellisianus (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lanaʻi and prehistorically probably Maui and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, 1969)
Sometimes placed in genus Akialoa (as A. ellisiana). Often split into Maui Nui ʻAkialoa, H. lanaiensis or A. lanaiensis (Lanaʻi and prehistorically probably Maui and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, extinct 1892), Oʻahu ʻAkialoa, H. ellisianus or A. ellisiana (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands, extinct 1940) and Kauaʻi ʻAkialoa, H. stejnegeri or A. stejnegeri (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, extinct 1969).
  • Kakawahie, Paroreomyza flammea (Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, 1963)
  • Oʻahu ʻAlauahio, Paroreomyza maculata (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands, early 1990s?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Last reliable record was in 1985, with an unconfirmed sighting in 1990.
Molokai Creeper
  • ʻUla-ʻai-hawane, Ciridops anna (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1892 or 1937)
  • Black Mamo, Drepanis funerea (Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, 1907)
  • Hawaiʻi Mamo, Drepanis pacifica (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1898)
  • Poʻo-uli, Melamprosops phaeosoma (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 2004?)
The most recent unequivocal extinction on this list. What was most likely the last known bird died in captivity on 28 November 2004.

Emberizidae – buntings and American sparrow

Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. It is known only from a single male collected in 1823, and has variously been considered an aberrant Yellow-bellied Seedeater or a hybrid.
mysterious bird formerly misidentified as Slaty Brush-finch described in 2007 on basis of three 20th century museum specimens.

(Probably) Extinct subspecies of birds

Extinction of subspecies is a subject very dependent on guesswork. National and international conservation projects and research publications such as redlists usually focus on species as a whole. Reliable information on the status of threatened subspecies usually has to be assembled piecemeal from published observations such as regional checklists. Therefore, the following listing contains a high proportion of taxa that may just as well still exist, but are listed here due to any combination of absence of recent records, a known threat such as habitat destruction, and an observed decline.

Struthioniformes

The Ostrich and related ratites.

  • Arabian Ostrich, Struthio camelus syriacus (Arabia, 1966) – Ostrich subspecies
  • Tasmanian Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis (Tasmania, mid-19th century) – Emu subspecies
  • North Island Little Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx owenii iredalei (North Island, New Zealand, late 19th century) – Little Spotted Kiwi subspecies

Tinamiformes

Tinamous

  • Huila Black Tinamou, Tinamus osgoodi hershkovitzi (Colombia, 1980s?)
A Black Tinamou subspecies or possibly a distinct species; not seen since 1976 but might persist in Cueva de los Guácharos National Park.
  • Magdalena Tinamou, Crypturellus (erythropus) saltuarius (Colombia, late 20th century?)
Variously considered a Red-legged Tinamou subspecies or a distinct species, this bird is currently only known with certainty from the 1943 type specimen. An additional specimen exists (or existed), but its present whereabouts is unknown. Recent research suggest it is still extant, and there was a likely – although as yet unconfirmed – record near the type locality by Colombian ornithologist Oswaldo Cortés in late 2008.

Anseriformes

Ducks, geese and swans.

  • Bering Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii asiatica (Komandorski and Kuril Islands, N Pacific, c. 1914 or 1929)
A subspecies of the Cackling Goose (formerly "Lesser Canada Goose") which is doubtfully distinct from the Aleutian one.
  • Coues' Gadwall or Washington Island Gadwall, Anas strepera couesi (Teraina, Kiribati, late 19th century)
A doubtfully distinct Gadwall subspecies.
  • Rennell Island Teal, Anas gibberifrons remissa (Rennell, Solomon Islands, c. 1959)
A subspecies of the Sunda Teal which disappeared due to predation on young birds by the introduced tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.
  • Niceforo's Pintail, Anas georgica niceforoi (Colombia, 1950s) – Yellow-billed Pintail subspecies
  • Borrero's Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera borreroi (Colombia, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Cinnamon Teal known only from a restricted area in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia, with a couple of records from Ecuador. It is either very rare or already extinct.

Galliformes

Quails and relatives.

  • Italian Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix italica (Italy, c. 1990)
A subspecies of the Grey Partridge whose validity has been questioned; the last purebred individuals disappeared during the late 1980s due to hybridization with introduced birds.
  • Amik Gölü Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus billypayni (S Turkey, possibly Lebanon, 1960s)
A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the Black Francolin.
  • Sicilian Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus ssp. (Sicily, Mediterranean, c. 1869)
Another doubtfully distinct Black Francolin subspecies.
  • Heath Hen, Tympanuchus cupido cupido, (New England, North America, 1932)
A subspecies of the Greater Prairie-Chicken or possibly a distinct species.
  • New Mexico Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus hueyi (New Mexico, North America, 1954) – Sharp-tailed Grouse subspecies
  • Moroccan Guineafowl, Numida meleagris sabyi (Morocco, mid-20th century or early 1980s)
A subspecies of the Helmeted Guineafowl. Reportedly still kept in captivity in Morocco in late 1990s. Possibly extinct by 1950, the 3 1970s records may refer to feral domestic hybrids.

Charadriiformes

Shorebirds, gulls and auks.

  • North Island Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica barrierensis (North Island, New Zealand, 1870s) – New Zealand Snipe subspecies
  • South Island Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica iredalei (South and Stewart Islands, New Zealand, 1964) – New Zealand Snipe subspecies
  • Tawitawi Small Buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica suluensis (Tawitawi, Philippines, mid-20th century) – Small Buttonquail subspecies
  • New Caledonia Painted Buttonquail, Turnix varia novaecaledoniae (New Caledonia, Melanesia, early 20th century)
A subspecies of the Painted Buttonquail of somewhat unclear status, it is variously considered anything between a hybrid between introduced species to a full species. Plentiful subfossil bones indicate that it was indeed a good endemic form.
  • Kiritimati Sandpiper, Prosobonia cancellata cancellata (Kiritimati, Kiribati, 19th century?)
The doubtfully distinct nominate subspecies of the Tuamotu Sandpiper, sometimes considered a distinct species, but only known from a painting.

Gruiformes

Rails and allies.

  • Goldman's Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis goldmani (Mexico, late 1960s) – Yellow Rail subspecies
  • Macquarie Island Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis macquariensis (Macquarie Islands, SW Pacific, 1880s) – Buff-banded Rail subspecies
  • Raoul Island Banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis ssp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, SW Pacific, late 19th century?)
Reports of the former occurrence of the species on Raoul seem plausible enough, but they may relate to vagrant individuals of another Buff-banded Rail subspecies.
  • Peruvian Rail, Rallus semiplumbeus peruvianus (Peru, 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Bogota Rail which is known from a single specimen collected in the 1880s. It may still be extant.
  • Western Australian Lewin's Rail, Lewinia pectoralis cleleandi (SW Australia, late 1930s) – Lewin's Rail subspecies
  • Flores Lewin's Rail, Lewinia pectoralis exsul (Flores, Indonesia, late 20th century?)
A Lewin's Rail subspecies known from vey few specimens. Only seen once since 1959 (in 1974) despite attempts to find it, it may well be extinct.
  • Assumption White-throated Rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri abbotti (Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo, Aldabra Islands, early 20th century) – White-throated Rail subspecies.
  • Jamaican Uniform Crake, Amaurolimnas concolor concolor (Jamaica, West Indies, 1890) – Uniform Crake nominate subspecies
  • Intact Rail, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris intactus (Melanesia, 20th century?)
A subspecies of the