About 216 species of birds have become extinct since 1500, with increasing extinction rates due to human-caused influences such as habitat loss, the introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Currently there are approximately 10,000 living species of birds, with over 1,480 at risk of extinction and 223 critically endangered.
Island species in general, and flightless island species in particular, are most at risk. The situation is exemplified by Hawaii, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird taxa originally lived, and Guam, which lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the decades following the introduction of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis). The disproportionate number of extinctions in rails 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.
The extinction dates given below are usually the dates of the last verified record (credible observation or specimen taken), which are approximations of the actual date of extinction. For many Pacific birds that became extinct shortly after European colonization, however, this leaves an uncertainty period of over 100 years, because the islands on which they lived were only rarely visited by scientists. In certain unusual cases, it is possible to pinpoint the date of extinction to a specific year or even day; the San Benedicto rock wren represents an extreme example where its extinction could be timed with an accuracy of maybe half an hour coinciding with the eruption of Bárcena.
The year 1500 serves as one common threshold of the "modern" era in which species are described scientifically, extinctions are monitored, and globalization has led to increased pressure on species. Taxa which became extinct pre-1500 are listed in List of Late Quaternary prehistoric bird species; prominent examples include the elephant birds (Aepyornis) and moa.
Extinct bird species
Casuariidae
Dromaius Kangaroo Island emu, Dromaius baudinianus (Kangaroo Island, Australia, c. 1819) King Island emu, Dromaius minor (King Island (Tasmania), Australia, c. 1802)
Apterygiformes
Apteryx West Coast spotted kiwi, Apteryx occidentalis (South Island, New Zealand, c. 1900) A doubtfully distinct species; may be a subspecies of the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) or a hybrid between that species and the Okarito kiwi (Apteryx rowi).
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Anatinaeducks Tadornini Tadornashelducks Crested shelduck, Tadorna cristata (Vladivostok, Russia, 1964) A likely relict species from Northeast Asia. Officially critically endangered due to unconfirmed reports made between 1985 and 1990 and poor survey coverage of the regions. Alopochen Réunion sheldgoose, Alopochen kervazoi (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century) Poorly known; observed in 1672, declared extinct in 1710. Mauritius sheldgoose, Alopochen mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1693) Last reported in 1693, declared extinct in 1698. Merginisea ducks †CamptorhynchusLabrador duck Labrador duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (Long Island, New York, 1875) 1875 is generally regarded as the last documented sighting of this species, though reports of an individual being shot in Elmita, New York in 1878 are sometimes accepted. Causes of extinction are poorly known, but at least partly driven by hunting. Mergusmergansers Auckland Island merganser, Mergus australis (New Zealand and the Auckland Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1902)Miskelly, Colin & Forsdick, Natalie & Gill, Brian & Palma, Ricardo & Rawlence, Nicolas & Tennyson, Alan. (2022). Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand. Driven to extinction by predation by introduced mammals and hunting. Aythyinidiving ducks Chenonetta Finsch's duck, Chenonetta finschi (New Zealand, c. 1760) Causes of extinction included predation by rats and overhunting. One unconfirmed record from 1870. Rhodonessapink-headed duck Pink-headed duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (East India, Bangladesh, North Myanmar, c. 1945) Sometimes included in genus Netta, but this classification is not generally accepted. Population declined sharply in early 20th century due to habitat loss and hunting. Officially classified as critically endangered due to the possibility of remaining individuals in remote portions of northern Myanmar, where unconfirmed reports have continued into the 21st century. Aythya Réunion pochard, Aythya cf. innotata (Réunion, Mascarenes, 17th century) Undescribed extinct species only known from two subfossils and two historical reports (1687, 1710) of non-Mascarene teal ducks on Réunion. Anatinidabbling ducks Marecawigeons Amsterdam wigeon, Mareca marecula (Amsterdam Island, South Indian Ocean, 1793) Driven to extinction by habitat destruction, hunting, and the introduction of invasive species. Anas Saint Paul Island duck, Anas sp. (St. Paul Island, South Indian Ocean, c. 1800) Only known from a single report from 1793. May be synonymous with the Amsterdam wigeon or a distinct species or subspecies. Mascarene teal, Anas theodori (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, 1710) Extinction caused by rapid habitat loss, hunting, and introduction of invasive species. Mariana mallard, Anas oustaleti (Marianas, West Pacific, 1981) Often considered a subspecies of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) or a hybrid with the Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) Hunting and habitat loss were both responsible for extinction. Captive breeding conservation efforts were unsuccessful.
Other Anseriformes Tahitian "goose", perhaps Nesochen (now Branta) sp. (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, last seen ca. 1790) Early travelers to Tahiti reported a "goose" that was found in the mountains. Jean-Marie Derscheid, upon reexamining the notes of these explorers, concluded that it may have been an undescribed species of Nesochen goose.
Galliformes
Megapodiidaemegapodes Megapodius Raoul Island scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, 1876) Megapodes were reported to have inhabited Raoul Island until the population was wiped out in a volcanic eruption in 1876. It is not clear whether the birds represent a distinct taxon, but given the island's history of major volcanic eruptions, it is unlikely an endemic species would have arisen there.
Phasianidaepheasants and allies Coturnix New Zealand quail, Coturnix novaezelandiae (New Zealand, 1875) Causes of extinction involved introduced diseases, competition with invasive species, and agricultural burning. OphrysiaHimalayan quail Himalayan quail, Ophrysia superciliosa (North India, late 19th century) Last confirmed sighting in 1876. Officially critically endangered due to ongoing unconfirmed sightings and sparse survey coverage in the historical range. Reasons for decline and possible extinction not well known, but may include hunting and habitat destruction.
Caprimulgiformes
Siphonorhis Jamaican poorwill, Siphonorhis americana (Jamaica, c. 1860) The last documented sighting of this species is from 1860. Species is officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct, due to continuing unconfirmed reports and the difficulty of surveying for cryptic species.
Caprimulgus Vaurie's nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus (China, c. 1929) Known from a single specimen from Xinjiang, China taken in 1929, originally identified as an Egyptian nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius). It was later described as a new species by Charles Vaurie, with its small size compared to other Caprimulgus species being diagnostic. The status of this species is disputed; genetic analysis indicates similarity to the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), but its small size is "difficult to rationalize". Eurostopodus New Caledonian nightjar, Eurostopodus exul (New Caledonia, c.1939) Known only from holotype, collected in 1939 and initially described as a subspecies of white-throated nightjar; currently classified as critically endangered, but searches in 1998 and annually since 2010 have failed to find any evidence of extant populations.
Aegotheliformes
Aegotheles New Caledonian owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles savesi (New Caledonia, c. 1913) Not to be confused with the New Caledonian nightjar. The species is currently listed as critically endangered. The type specimen was collected after the bird flew into a bedroom in the village of Tonghoué. This large owlet-nightjar is known from two specimens taken in 1880 and 1913, though unconfirmed reports have occurred as recently as 1998.
Apodiformes
Trochilidae – hummingbirds
Riccordia Brace's emerald, Riccordia bracei (New Providence, Bahamas, c. 1877) Gould's emerald, Riccordia elegans (Jamaica (probably), c. 1860) Known from single type specimen. Species status is disputed, partly due to unknown provenance of the specimen. Eriocnemis Turquoise-throated puffleg, Eriocnemis godini (Ecuador, 19th century) Classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. There have been no documented sightings since the 19th century, but one unconfirmed record exists from 1976. Surveys in 1980 and 2005 failed to find the species. Saucerottia Guanacaste hummingbird, Saucerottia alfaroana (Miravalles Volcano, Costa Rica, c. 1895) Classified as critically endangered; no targeted search efforts have been undertaken to relocate the species. Known only from holotype, collected in 1895.
Cuculiformes
†Nannococcyx Saint Helena cuckoo, Nannococcyx psix (St. Helena, c.1550) Couacouas, a genus endemic to Madagascar Delalande's coua, Coua delalandei (Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, c. 1834)
Columbiformes
For the "Réunion solitaire", see Réunion ibis.
†EctopistesPassenger pigeon Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (eastern North America, 1914) The passenger pigeon was once among the most abundant wild bird species in the world, with a single flock numbering up to 2.2 billion birds. It was hunted close to extinction for food and sport in the late 19th century. The last individual, a mateless female named Martha after Martha Washington, died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. †DysmoropeliaSaint Helena dove Saint Helena dove, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos (St. Helena, South Atlantic, 16th century?) Known only from Late Pleistocene bones, but may have persisted until the 16th century. †RaphusDodo Dodo, Raphus cucullatus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, late 17th century) Called Didus ineptus by Linnaeus. A metre-high flightless bird found on Mauritius. Its forest habitat was destroyed when Dutch settlers moved to the island and the dodo's nests and eggs were destroyed by the pigs, cats and monkeys that the Dutch brought with them. The last specimen was killed in 1681, only 80 years after the arrival of the new predators. †PezophapsRodrigues solitaire Rodrigues solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c. 1730) Columba Bonin wood pigeon, Columba versicolor (Nakodo-jima and Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, c. 1890) Ryukyu wood pigeon, Columba jouyi (Okinawa and Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, late 1930s) Mauritian wood pigeon, Columba thiriouxi (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1730s) Described from subfossil remains, it is believed to have become extinct by 1730 due to hunting, predation by introduced black rats, and deforestation. The species has been questioned due to the material being scarce and not completely distinguishable from rock doves introduced to the island in 1639. However, early historical accounts mention the existence of pigeons that were caught with ease. Nesoenas Rodrigues pigeon, Nesoenas rodericanus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, before 1690?) Formerly in Streptopelia. Possibly a subspecies of the Malagasy turtle dove (Nesoenas picturatus), this seems to be the bird observed by Leguat. Introduced rats may have caused it to become extinct in the late 17th century. Caloenas Spotted green pigeon, Caloenas maculata (South Pacific or Indian Ocean islands, 1820s)