Passenger Pigeon

The Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, was an extinct species endemic to North America. Males were about 390 to 410 mm in length, with a bluish-gray head and iridescent bronze feathers on the neck. Females were slightly smaller and duller in color. The species was known for its incredible speed in flight and its vast, dense flocks.

Identification Tips

Males had iridescent neck feathers and black spots on the wings. Females were browner and had more wing spotting. Juveniles resembled females but lacked iridescence. The species could be identified by its long, pointed wings and tail, as well as its rapid, powerful flight.

Habitat

The Passenger Pigeon primarily inhabited the deciduous forests of eastern North America, with a breeding range centered around the Great Lakes.

Distribution

Once the most abundant bird in North America, the Passenger Pigeon's range extended from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast and from southern Canada to the southern United States.

Behaviour

This species was highly gregarious and nomadic, constantly in search of food, shelter, and breeding grounds. It migrated in enormous flocks and was known for communal roosting and breeding.

Song & Calls

The Passenger Pigeon's calls were described as loud and harsh, including a series of low notes and a cooing sound. Alarm calls were given during feeding when threatened.

Breeding

Passenger Pigeons bred communally with a synchronized nesting period. They typically laid a single egg, and both parents shared incubation duties.

Similar Species

The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) was often confused with the Passenger Pigeon, but genetic analysis has shown closer relations to the genus Patagioenas.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consisted mainly of mast (nuts and seeds), fruits, and invertebrates. The species foraged in large flocks, often covering extensive areas in search of food.

Conservation status

The Passenger Pigeon was driven to extinction by the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat destruction. The last known individual, named Martha, died in captivity in 1914.