Recently Extinct Birds
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About 216 species of
bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...
s have become
extinct Extinction is the termination of an organism by the death of its Endling, last member. A taxon may become Functional extinction, functionally extinct before the death of its last member if it loses the capacity to Reproduction, reproduce and ...
since 1500, with increasing extinction rates due to
human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...
-caused influences such as
habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...
, the introduction of
invasive species An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native spec ...
, and
climate change Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in Global surface temperature, global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in ...
. 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 Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...
, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird
taxa In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; : taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular name and ...
originally lived, and
Guam Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
, which lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the decades following the introduction of the
brown tree snake The brown tree snake (''Boiga irregularis''), also known as the brown catsnake, is an arboreal rear-fanged colubrid snake native to eastern and northern coastal Australia, eastern Indonesia (Sulawesi to Papua), Papua New Guinea, and many island ...
(''Boiga irregularis''). The disproportionate number of extinctions in
rail Rail or rails may refer to: Rail transport *Rail transport and related matters *Railway track or railway lines, the running surface of a railway Arts and media Film * ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini * ''Rail'' (1967 fil ...
s 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 The phenomenon of colonization is one that stretches around the globe and across time. Ancient and medieval colonialism was practiced by various civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Han Chinese, and A ...
, 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 The San Benedicto rock wren (''Salpinctes obsoletus exsul'') is a small extinct passerine which was endemic to San Benedicto Island in the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico. It was a subspecies of the rock wren. Extinction San Benedicto is a vo ...
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 Late Quaternary prehistoric birds are avian taxa that became extinct during the Late Quaternary – the Late Pleistocene or Early Holocene – and before recorded history, specifically before they could be studied alive by ornithol ...
; prominent examples include the
elephant birds Elephant birds are extinct flightless birds belonging to the order Aepyornithiformes that were native to the island of Madagascar. They are thought to have gone extinct around 1000 CE, likely as a result of human activity. Elephant birds compris ...
(''Aepyornis)'' and
moa Moa are extinct giant flightless birds native to New Zealand. Moa or MOA may also refer to: Arts and media * Metal Open Air, a Brazilian heavy metal festival * MOA Museum of Art in Japan * The Moas, New Zealand film awards People * Moa ...
.


Extinct bird species


Paleognathes Palaeognathae (; ) is an infraclass of birds, called paleognaths or palaeognaths, within the class Aves of the clade Archosauria. It is one of the two extant infraclasses of birds, the other being Neognathae, both of which form Neornithes. Pala ...


Apterygiformes Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand of the order Apterygiformes. The five extant species fall into the family Apterygidae and genus ''Apteryx''. Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are the smallest ratites (which a ...

The kiwis of New Zealand * 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 The little spotted kiwi or little grey kiwi (''Apteryx owenii'') is a small flightless bird in the kiwi family, Apterygidae. It is the smallest of the five kiwi species, at about , about the size of a bantam. It is endemic to New Zealand, and ...
(''Apteryx owenii'') or a hybrid between that species and the
Okarito kiwi The Okarito kiwi (''Apteryx rowi''), also known as the rowi or Okarito brown kiwi, is a member of the kiwi family Apterygidae, described as new to science in 2003. The species is part of the brown kiwi complex, and is morphologically very ...
(''Apteryx rowi'').


Anseriformes Anseriformes is an order (biology), order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae (three species of screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, the largest f ...

Duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family (biology), family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and goose, geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfam ...
s,
geese A goose (: geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera '' Anser'' (grey geese and white geese) and ''Branta'' (black geese). Some members of the Tadorninae subfamily (e.g., Egyp ...
and
swan Swans are birds of the genus ''Cygnus'' within the family Anatidae. The swans' closest relatives include the goose, geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe (biology) ...
s *
Anatidae The Anatidae are the biological family (biology), family of water birds that includes ducks, goose, geese, and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica. These birds are adapted f ...
ducks, geese and swans **
Anatinae The Anatinae are a subfamily of the family Anatidae (swans, geese and ducks). Its surviving members are the dabbling ducks, which feed mainly at the surface rather than by diving. The other members of the Anatinae are the extinct moa-nalo, a ...
ducks *** Tadornini **** Extinct species of extant genera ***** ''
Tadorna The shelducks, most species of which are found in the genus ''Tadorna'' (except for the Radjah shelduck, which is now found in its own monotypic genus ''Radjah''), are a group of large birds in the Tadorninae subfamily of the Anatidae, the biolog ...
''shelducks ******
Crested shelduck The crested shelduck (''Tadorna cristata''), or Korean crested shelduck, is a species of bird in the family Anatidae. It is critically endangered. The male crested shelduck has a greenish-black crown, breast, primaries, and tail, while the rest o ...
, ''Tadorna cristata'' (Northeast Asia, 1964) ******:A likely relict species from Northeast Asia. Officially
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
due to unconfirmed reports made between 1985 and 1990 and poor survey coverage of the regions. ***** ''
Alopochen ''Alopochen'' is a genus of the bird family (biology), family Anatidae, part of the subfamily Tadorninae along with the shelducks. It contains one extant species, the Egyptian goose (''Alopochen aegyptiaca''), and three which became extinct in t ...
'' ******
Réunion sheldgoose The Réunion sheldgoose or Kervazo's Egyptian goose (''Alopochen kervazoi'') is an extinct species of sheldgoose from Réunion. It was a close relative of the Egyptian goose and was about the same size. There is only one description remaining, th ...
, ''Alopochen kervazoi'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century) Poorly known; observed in 1672, declared extinct in 1710. ******
Mauritius sheldgoose The Mauritius sheldgoose (''Alopochen mauritiana''), also known as the Mauritius shelduck, is an extinct species of sheldgoose that was endemic to the island of Mauritius. While geese were mentioned by visitors to Mauritius in the 17th century, ...
, ''Alopochen mauritianus'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1693) Last reported in 1693, declared extinct in 1698. ***
Mergini The sea ducks (Mergini) are a tribe of the duck subfamily of birds, the Anatinae. The taxonomy of this group is incomplete. Some authorities separate the group as a subfamily, while others remove some genera. Most species within the group spend ...
sea ducks **** †''
Camptorhynchus The Labrador duck (''Camptorhynchus labradorius'') is an extinct North American duck species. It has the distinction of being the first known endemic North American bird species to become extinct after the Columbian Exchange, with the last report ...
''Labrador duck *****
Labrador duck The Labrador duck (''Camptorhynchus labradorius'') is an extinct North American duck species. It has the distinction of being the first known endemic North American bird species to become extinct after the Columbian Exchange, with the last report ...
, ''Camptorhynchus labradorius'' (northeastern North America, c. 1878)Possibly a relict species. Causes of extinction are poorly known, but at least partly driven by hunting. **** Extinct species of extant genera ***** ''
Mergus ''Mergus'' is the genus of the typical mergansers ( ) fish-eating ducks in the subfamily Anatinae. The genus name is a Latin word used by Pliny the Elder and other Ancient Rome, Roman authors to refer to an unspecified waterbird. The common mer ...
''mergansers ******
Auckland Island merganser The Auckland Island merganser (''Mergus australis'') (), also known as the New Zealand merganser, is an extinct species of typical merganser. Description This duck was similar in size to the red-breasted merganser (''Mergus serrator''). T ...
, ''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 **** Extinct species of extant genera ***** ''
Chenonetta ''Chenonetta'' is a genus of dabbling duck. One species is extinct, while the other is extant. Species The genus includes the following two species: * Australian wood duck (''Chenonetta jubata''), Australia *† Finsch's duck (''Chenonetta fins ...
'' ******
Finsch's duck Finsch's duck (''Chenonetta finschi'') () is an extinct species of large terrestrial duck that was endemic to New Zealand. The species was possibly once the most common duck in New Zealand, a supposition based on the frequency of its fossils in ...
, ''Chenonetta finschi'' (New Zealand, c. 1760) ******:Causes of extinction included predation by
rats Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents. Species of rats are found throughout the order Rodentia, but stereotypical rats are found in the genus ''Rattus''. Other rat genera include ''Neotoma'' (pack rats), '' Bandicota'' (bandicoot ...
and overhunting. One unconfirmed record from 1870. ***** '' Rhodonessa''pink-headed duck ******
Pink-headed duck The pink-headed duck (''Rhodonessa caryophyllacea'') is a large diving duck that was once found in parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Gangetic plains of India, Nepal, parts of Maharashtra, Bangladesh and in the riverine swamps of Myanmar but has b ...
, ''Rhodonessa caryophyllacea'' (East India, Bangladesh, North Myanmar, c. 1945)sometimes included in genus ''
Netta ''Netta'' is a genus of diving ducks. The name is derived from Greek ''Netta'' "duck". Unlike other diving ducks, the ''Netta'' species are reluctant to dive, and feed more like dabbling ducks. These are gregarious ducks, mainly found on fresh ...
'', 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 An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
due to the possibility of remaining individuals in remote portions of northern Myanmar, where unconfirmed reports have continued into the 21st century. ***** ''
Aythya ''Aythya'' is a genus of diving ducks, with twelve species currently accepted. The genus was described in 1822 by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie, with the type species being greater scaup. The name ''Aythya'' comes from the Ancient Greek ...
'' ******
Réunion pochard The Réunion pochard (''Aythya'' sp.), also known as the Mascarene Islands pochard, is an undescribed extinct species of diving duck that lived on the island of Réunion. In 1999 there were two carpometacarpi subfossils found by Cécile Mourer ...
, ''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. ***
Anatini The Anatinae are a subfamily of the family Anatidae (swans, geese and ducks). Its surviving members are the dabbling ducks, which feed mainly at the surface rather than by diving. The other members of the Anatinae are the extinct moa-nalo, a yo ...
dabbling ducks **** Extinct species of extant genera ***** ''
Mareca ''Mareca'' is a genus or subgenus of ducks in the family Anatidae that includes the wigeons. The species now placed in this genus were formerly placed in the genus ''Anas''. A molecular phylogentic study comparing mitochondrial DNA sequences pub ...
''wigeons ******
Amsterdam wigeon The Amsterdam wigeon (''Mareca marecula'', formerly ''Anas marecula''), also known as the Amsterdam Island duck or Amsterdam duck, is an extinct species of anatid waterfowl, endemic to Île Amsterdam (Amsterdam Island), the French Southern Terri ...
, ''Mareca marecula'' (Amsterdam Island, South Indian Ocean, 1793) Driven to extinction by habitat destruction, hunting, and the introduction of invasive species. ***** ''
Anas ''Anas'' is a genus of dabbling ducks. It includes the pintails, most teals, and the mallard and its close relatives. It formerly included additional species but following the publication of a molecular phylogenetic study in 2009 the genus was s ...
'' ****** Saint Paul Island duck, ''Anas'' sp. ( St. Paul Island, South Indian Ocean, c. 1800) ******: Only known by 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 The Mariana mallard or Oustalet's duck (''Anas oustaleti'') is an extinct species of duck of the genus ''Anas'' that was endemic to the Mariana Islands. Its taxonomic status is debated, and it has variously been treated as a full species, a subsp ...
, ''Anas oustaleti'' (Marianas, West Pacific, 1981) – often considered a subspecies of the
mallard The mallard () or wild duck (''Anas platyrhynchos'') is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Arge ...
(''Anas platyrhynchos'') or a hybrid with the
Pacific black duck The Pacific black duck (''Anas superciliosa''), commonly known as the PBD, is a dabbling duck found in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, reaching to the Caroline Islands in the no ...
(''Anas superciliosa'') Hunting and habitat loss were both responsible for extinction.
Captive breeding Captive breeding, also known as captive propagation, is the process of keeping plants or animals in controlled environments, such as wildlife reserves, zoos, Botanical garden, botanic gardens, and other Conservation biology, conservation facilitie ...
conservation efforts were unsuccessful.


Galliformes Galliformes is an order (biology), order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkey (bird), turkeys, chickens, Old World quail, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems ...

Quail Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally placed in the order Galliformes. The collective noun for a group of quail is a flock, covey, or bevy. Old World quail are placed in the family Phasianidae, and New ...
s and relatives
See also Bokaak "bustard" under
Gruiformes The Gruiformes ( ) are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and terrestrial bird families that ...
below **
Megapodiidae The megapodes, also known as incubator birds or mound-builders, are stocky, medium-large, chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet in the family Megapodiidae. Their name literally means "large foot" and is a reference to the heavy leg ...
megapodes *** Extinct species of extant genera **** ''
Megapodius The scrubfowl are the genus '' Megapodius '' of the mound-builders, stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet in the family Megapodiidae. They are found from south-east Asia to north Australia and islands in the w ...
'' ***** Pile-builder megapode, ''Megapodius molistructor'' (New Caledonia, late 18th century?) *****:May have survived to the late 18th century, as evidenced by descriptions of the bird named ''"Tetrao australis"'' and later ''"Megapodius andersoni"''. Extinction likely driven by hunting. *****
Viti Levu scrubfowl The Viti Levu scrubfowl (''Megapodius amissus''), also known as the Fiji scrubfowl or lost megapode, is an extinct megapode that was endemic to Fiji. The epithet ''amissus'', from Latin "lost", refers to its extinction. Subfossil remains were c ...
, ''Megapodius amissus'' (
Viti Levu Viti Levu (pronounced ; ) is the largest island in Fiji. It is the site of the country's capital and largest city, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population. Geology Fiji lies in a plate tectonics, tectonically complex area betwe ...
and possibly Kadavu,
Fiji Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...
, 20th century?) *****:Only concretely known from subfossils dating 2900-2700 years before present. Likely driven to extinction by hunting. Unconfirmed sightings from the 20th century. ***** Raoul Island scrubfowl, ''Megapodius'' sp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, 1876) *****:A hypothetical species said to have inhabited
Raoul Island Raoul Island (''Sunday Island''; ) is the largest and northernmost of the main Kermadec Islands, south south-west of 'Ata Island of Tonga and north north-east of New Zealand's North Island. It has been the source of vigorous volcanic activit ...
until the population was wiped out in a volcanic eruption. It is not clear whether the birds represent a distinct taxon. **
Phasianidae Phasianidae is a family (biology), family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, grouse, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, Turkey bird, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular Game (hu ...
pheasants and allies *** Extinct species of extant genera **** ''
Coturnix ''Coturnix'' is a genus of five extant species and five to eight known extinct species of Old World quail. Range These species are distributed throughout Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and formerly New Zealand. An extinct Adaptive radiation, radiat ...
'' ***** New Zealand quail, ''Coturnix novaezelandiae'' (New Zealand, 1875) Causes of extinction involved introduced diseases, competition with invasive species, and agricultural burning. **** ''
Ophrysia The Himalayan quail (''Ophrysia superciliosa'') or mountain quail, is a medium-sized quail belonging to the pheasant family. It was last reported in 1876 and is feared extinct. This species was known from only 2 locations (and 12 specimens) in ...
''Himalayan quail *****
Himalayan quail The Himalayan quail (''Ophrysia superciliosa'') or mountain quail, is a medium-sized quail belonging to the pheasant family. It was last reported in 1876 and is feared extinct. This species was known from only 2 locations (and 12 specimens) in ...
, ''Ophrysia superciliosa'' (North India, late 19th century) *****:Last confirmed sighting in 1876. Officially
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
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.


Podicipediformes Grebes () are aquatic diving birds in the order Podicipediformes (). Grebes are widely distributed freshwater birds, with some species also found in marine habitats during migration and winter. Most grebes fly, although some flightless specie ...

Grebe Grebes () are aquatic diving birds in the order (biology), order Podicipediformes (). Grebes are widely distributed freshwater birds, with some species also found in sea, marine habitats during Bird migration, migration and winter. Most grebes f ...
s * Extinct species of extant genera ** ''
Tachybaptus ''Tachybaptus'' is a genus of small birds of the grebe family. The genus name means "quick diving": it is from Ancient Greek ''takhys'' "quick" and ''bapto'' "I dip". It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics. These g ...
'' ***
Alaotra grebe The Alaotra grebe (''Tachybaptus rufolavatus''), also known as Delacour's little grebe or rusty grebe, is a recently extinct grebe that was endemic to Lake Alaotra and its surrounding lakes in Madagascar. Experts say that the grebe became extinc ...
, ''Tachybaptus rufolavatus'' (Lake Alaotra and surrounding lakes, Madagascar, 1985) *:Officially declared extinct in 2010, 25 years after the last official sighting in 1985. Its extinction was primarily due to
habitat destruction Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...
, the introduction of invasive and hybridisation with the
little grebe The little grebe (''Tachybaptus ruficollis''), also known as dabchick, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The genus name is from Ancient Greek ''takhus'' "fast" and ''bapto'' "to sink under". The specific ''ruficollis'' is from Latin ...
(''Tachybaptus ruficollis''). ** ''
Podilymbus ''Podilymbus'' is a genus of birds in the Grebe family, the genus name is derived from Latin ''Podilymbus'', a contraction of ''podicipes'' ("feet at the buttocks", from ''podici-'', "rump-" + ''pes'', "foot")—the origin of the name of the gr ...
'' *** Atitlán grebe, ''Podilymbus gigas'' (Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, 1989) Extinction driven by habitat destruction, an
earthquake An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...
-driven drop in lake level in 1976, and hybridization with the Pied-billed grebe (''Podilymbus podiceps).'' ** ''
Podiceps ''Podiceps'' is a genus of birds in the grebe family. The genus name comes from Latin , "rear-end" and ', "foot", and is a reference to the placement of a grebe's legs towards the rear of its body. It has representatives breeding in all contine ...
'' ***
Colombian grebe The Colombian grebe (''Podiceps andinus'') was a grebe found in the Bogotá wetlands on the Bogotá savanna in the Eastern Ranges of the Andes of Colombia. The species was still abundant in Lake Tota in 1945. The species has often been considere ...
, ''Podiceps andinus'' (Bogotá area, Colombia, 1977) Population rapidly declined beginning in the 1950s due to factors including habitat destruction, the introduction of carnivorous
trout Trout (: trout) is a generic common name for numerous species of carnivorous freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', ''Salmo'' and ''Salvelinus'', all of which are members of the subfamily Salmoninae in the ...
, hunting, and water pollution. Extensive surveys in the 1980s failed to observe any individuals.


Charadriiformes Charadriiformes (, from '' Charadrius'', the type genus of family Charadriidae) is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 390 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most charadriiform birds live near water ...

Shorebird 245px, A flock of Red_knot.html" ;"title="Dunlins and Red knot">Dunlins and Red knots Waders or shorebirds are birds of the order Charadriiformes commonly found wikt:wade#Etymology 1, wading along shorelines and mudflats in order to foraging, ...
s,
gull Gulls, or colloquially seagulls, are seabirds of the subfamily Larinae. They are most closely related to terns and skimmers, distantly related to auks, and even more distantly related to waders. Until the 21st century, most gulls were placed ...
s and
auk Auks or alcids are birds of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes. The alcid family includes the Uria, murres, guillemots, Aethia, auklets, puffins, and Brachyramphus, murrelets. The family contains 25 extant or recently extinct speci ...
s * Haematopodidaeoystercatchers ** Extinct species of extant genera *** '' Haematopus''oystercatchers ****
Canary Islands oystercatcher The Canary Islands oystercatcher, Canarian oystercatcher, or Canarian black oystercatcher (''Haematopus meadewaldoi''), Etymology: ''Haematopus'', Latinized Ancient Greek for "bloody-footed", from ''(h)aimato-'' (αίματό-), '"blood-" + ''-p ...
, ''Haematopus meadewaldoi'' (eastern Canary Islands, East Atlantic, c. 1940s) ****:Last confirmed sighting from 1913, reported extinct in 1940s. Repeated surveys in the 20th century failed to locate any evidence of the species. Extinction likely driven by overharvesting by humans of intertidal zone, habitat destruction, and introduced predators. *
Charadriidae The bird family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. The family contains 69 species that are divided into 10 genera. Taxonomy The family Charadriidae was introduced (as Charadriadæ) by the English zoologist William El ...
plovers and lapwings ** Extinct species of extant genera *** ''
Vanellus ''Vanellus'' is the genus of waders which provisionally contains all lapwings except red-kneed dotterel, ''Erythrogonys cinctus''. The name "''vanellus''" is Latin for "little fan", ''vanellus'' being the diminutive of ''vannus'' ("Winnowing#In ...
''lapwings **** Javan lapwing, ''Vanellus macropterus'' (Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century) ****:Last recorded in 1940. Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
due to incomplete survey coverage in suitable habitat and unconfirmed sightings continuing into the early 21st century. Decline and possible extinction driven by hunting and habitat destruction. *
Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large family of shorebirds, or waders, which mainly includes many species known as sandpipers, but also others such as woodcocks, curlews and snipes. Most of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil ...
sandpipers and allies ** Extinct species of extant genera *** '' Numenius''curlews ****
Eskimo curlew The Eskimo curlew (''Numenius borealis''), also known as northern curlew, is a species of curlew in the family Scolopacidae. It was one of the most numerous shorebirds in the tundra of western Arctic Canada and Alaska. Thousands of birds were th ...
, ''Numenius borealis'' (northern North America, late 20th century?) ****:May still be extant; officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. ****
Slender-billed curlew The slender-billed curlew (''Numenius tenuirostris'') is an extinct species of curlew native to Eurasia and North Africa. Isotope analysis suggests the majority of the former population bred in the Kazakh Steppe despite a record from the Siberia ...
, ''Numenius tenuirostris'' (Western Siberia, early in the first decade of the 21st century?) ****:May still exist; officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. A few birds were recorded in 2004 following several decades of increasing rarity. There was also an unconfirmed sighting in Albania in 2007. A survey to find out whether this bird still exists is currently being undertaken by the
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a Charitable_organization#United_Kingdom, charitable organisation registered in Charity Commission for England and Wales, England and Wales and in Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, ...
(
BirdLife BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding i ...
in the UK). *** '' Prosobonia''Polynesian sandpipers **** Tahiti sandpiper, ''Prosobonia leucoptera'' (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, 19th century) **** Moorea sandpiper, ''Prosobonia ellisi'' (Moorea, Society Islands, South Pacific, 19th century) ****:Doubtfully distinct from ''P. leucoptera''. **** Christmas sandpiper, ''Prosobonia cancellata'' ( Kiritimati Island,
Kiribati Kiribati, officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island country in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania in the central Pacific Ocean. Its permanent population is over 119,000 as of the 2020 census, and more than half live on Tarawa. The st ...
, Central Pacific, 1850s) *** ''
Coenocorypha The austral snipes, also known as the New Zealand snipes or tutukiwi, are a genus, ''Coenocorypha'', of tiny birds in the sandpiper family (biology), family, which are now only found on New Zealand outlying islands, New Zealand's outlying islands ...
''Austral snipes **** North Island snipe, ''Coenocorypha barrierensis'' (North Island, New Zealand, 1870s) ****
South Island snipe The South Island snipe (''Coenocorypha iredalei''), also known as the Stewart Island snipe or tutukiwi in Māori, is an extinct species of bird in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae that was endemic to New Zealand. Taxonomy and etymology Determ ...
, ''Coenocorypha iredalei'' (South and Stewart Islands, New Zealand, 1964) *
Alcidae Auks or alcids are birds of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes. The alcid family includes the murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets. The family contains 25 extant or recently extinct species that are divided into ...
auks ** †'' Pinguinus''great auk ***
Great auk The great auk (''Pinguinus impennis''), also known as the penguin or garefowl, is an Extinction, extinct species of flightless bird, flightless auk, alcid that first appeared around 400,000 years ago and Bird extinction, became extinct in the ...
, ''Pinguinus impennis'' (North Atlantic region, 1852)


Gruiformes The Gruiformes ( ) are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and terrestrial bird families that ...

Rail Rail or rails may refer to: Rail transport *Rail transport and related matters *Railway track or railway lines, the running surface of a railway Arts and media Film * ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini * ''Rail'' (1967 fil ...
s and allies - probably
paraphyletic Paraphyly is a taxonomic term describing a grouping that consists of the grouping's last common ancestor and some but not all of its descendant lineages. The grouping is said to be paraphyletic ''with respect to'' the excluded subgroups. In co ...
* †''Nesotrochis'' ** Antillean cave rail, ''Nesotrochis debooyi'' *:Known by
pre-Columbian In the history of the Americas, the pre-Columbian era, also known as the pre-contact era, or as the pre-Cabraline era specifically in Brazil, spans from the initial peopling of the Americas in the Upper Paleolithic to the onset of European col ...
bones from Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Stories of an easy-to-catch bird named the ''carrao'' heard by
Alexander Wetmore Frank Alexander Wetmore (June 18, 1886 – December 7, 1978) was an American ornithologist and avian paleontologist. He was the sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He was also an elected member of both the American Philosophical Soc ...
in 1912 on Puerto Rico may refer to this bird. * †''Diaphorapteryx'' ** Hawkins's rail, ''Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, late 19th century) * †''Aphanapteryx'' **
Red rail The red rail (''Aphanapteryx bonasia'') is an extinct species of rail that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It had a close relative on Rodrigues island, the likewise extinct Rodrigues r ...
, ''Aphanapteryx bonasia'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1700) * Extinct species of extant genera ***
Réunion rail The Réunion rail (''Dryolimnas augusti''), also known as Dubois' wood-rail, is an extinct rail species which was endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion. The scientific name commemorates French poet Auguste de Villèle (1858-1943) whose inte ...
or Dubois' wood rail, ''Dryolimnnas augusti'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century) *** Rodrigues rail, ''Erythromachus leguati'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century) *** Bar-winged rail, ''Hypotaenidia poecilopterus'' (Fiji, Polynesia, c. 1990) *** Dieffenbach's rail, ''Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, mid-19th century) *** Tahiti rail, ''Hypotaenidia pacificus'' (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, late 18th19th century) ***
Wake Island rail The extinct Wake Island rail or Wake rail (''Hypotaenidia wakensis'') was a flightless rail and the only native land bird on the Pacific atoll of Wake. It was found on the islands of Wake and Wilkes, and Peale, which is separated from the ot ...
, ''Hypotaenidia wakensis'' (Wake Island, Micronesia, 1945) *** Vavau rail, ''Hypotaenidia vavauensis'' (Vavau, Tonga, Southwest Pacific, early 19th century?) ***:This bird was previously known only from a drawing from the 1793 Malaspina expedition, apparently depicting a species of ''Gallirallus''. Subfossil remains belonging to this species were found in 2020. *** Eua rail, ''Gallirallus vekamatolu'' ***:Known from prehistoric bones found on Eua. It was probably a close relative of the Vava'u rail. *** Tongatapu rail, ''Gallirallus hypoleucus'' (Tongatapu, Tonga, Southwest Pacific, late 18th or 19th century) *** Hiva Oa rail, ''Gallirallus'' sp. *** Norfolk Island rail, ''Gallirallus'' sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, early 17th century?) ***:May be the bird shown on a bad watercolor illustration made about 1800. *** Chatham rail, ''Cabalus modestus'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1900) *** New Caledonian rail, ''Cabalus lafresnanayanus'' (New Caledonia, Melanesia, c. 1900?) ***:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
, the last records were in 1984 and it seems as if all of the available habitat has now been overrun by
feral pig A feral pig is a domestic pig The pig (''Sus domesticus''), also called swine (: swine) or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the g ...
s and
feral dog A free-ranging dog is a dog that is not confined to a yard or house. Free-ranging dogs include street dogs, village dogs, stray dogs, feral dogs, etc., and may be owned or unowned. The global dog population is estimated to be 900 million, of wh ...
s, which preyed on this bird. *** Ascension crake, ''Mundia elpenor'' (Ascension Island, South Atlantic, late 17th century)formerly ''Atlantisia'' ***
Saint Helena crake The Saint Helena crake (''Zapornia astrictocarpus'') is an extinct bird species from the island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, one of two flightless birds, flightless Rallidae, rails which survived there until the ea ...
, ''Zapornia astrictocarpus'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, early 16th century) ***
Laysan rail The Laysan rail or Laysan crake (''Zapornia palmeri'') was a flightless bird endemic to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Northwest Hawaiian Island of Laysan. This small island was and still is an important seabird colony, and sustained a num ...
, ''Zapornia palmeri'' (Laysan, Hawaiian Islands, 1944) ***
Hawaiian rail The Hawaiian rail (''Zapornia sandwichensis''), Hawaiian spotted rail, or Hawaiian crake is an extinct species of diminutive Rallidae, rail that lived on Hawaii (island), Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Taxonomy Considerable confusion has been ...
, ''Zapornia sandwichensis'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, c. 1890) *** Kosrae crake, ''Zapornia monasa'' (Kosrae, Carolines, c. mid-to-late 19th century) ***
Tahiti crake The Tahiti crake (''Zapornia nigra''), also known as Miller's rail, is an extinct species of bird in the family Rallidae. It was endemic to Tahiti. It was discovered and painted by Georg Forster during the second Cook voyage. John Frederick Miller ...
, ''Zapornia nigra'' (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, c. 1800) ***:Known only from paintings and descriptions; its taxonomic status is uncertain, as the material is often believed to refer to the extant
spotless crake The spotless crake (''Zapornia tabuensis'') is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It is widely distributed species occurring from the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand across the southern Pacific Ocean to the Marquesas ...
(''Zapornia tabuensis''). *** Saint Helena rail, ''Aphanocrex podarces'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, 16th century)formerly ''Atlantisia'' *** White swamphen, ''Porphyrio albus'' (
Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island (; formerly Lord Howe's Island) is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It lies directly east of mainland Port ...
, Southwest Pacific, early 19th century) *** Réunion swamphen or ''oiseau bleu'', ''Porphyrio coerulescens'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, 18th century) ***:Known only from descriptions. The former existence of a ''Porphyrio'' on Réunion is fairly certain, but it has not been proven to date. *** Marquesas swamphen, ''Porphyrio paepae'' (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas) ***:May have survived to c. 1900. In the lower right hand corner of
Paul Gauguin Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements. He was also an influ ...
's 1902 painting ''Le Sorcier d'Hiva Oa ou le Marquisien à la cape rouge'', there is a bird which resembles native descriptions of ''P. paepae''. ***
North Island takahē The North Island takahē () (''Porphyrio mantelli'') is an extinct species of flightless swamphen that was native to the North Island of New Zealand. It is closely related to the living South Island takahē. Description This flightless speci ...
, ''Porphyrio mantelli'' (North Island, New Zealand, late 19th century) ***:Known from subfossil bones found in New Zealand's North Island; may have survived to 1894 or later. *** New Caledonian gallinule, ''Porphyrio kukwiedei'' (New Caledonia, Melanesia) ***:May have survived into historic times. The native name ''n'dino'' is thought to refer to this bird. *** Samoan woodhen, ''Gallinula pacifica'' (Savaii, Samoa, 1907?) ***:Probably better placed in the genus ''Pareudiastes''. Unconfirmed reports from the late 20th century suggest it still exists in small numbers and therefore it is officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. *** Makira woodhen, ''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''. Unconfirmed recent records suggest it still exists and therefore it is officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. ***
Tristan moorhen The Tristan moorhen or Tristan gallinule (''Gallinula nesiotis'') is an extinct species of flightless rail endemic to the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha. It was very similar to the Gough moorhen of Gough Island, located to the southea ...
, ''Gallinula nesiotis'' (Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic, late 19th century) *** Mascarene coot, ''Fulica newtonii'' (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700) ***
Sharpe's rail Sharpe's rail (''Gallirallus sharpei'') is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is known only from the type specimen of unknown origin, but it has been speculated that it originated from Indonesia. Due to the lack of recent records, it ha ...
, ''Gallirallus sharpei'' (Indonesia?) ***:Only known from a type specimen, but scientist speculate that it originated form Indonesia. Could possibly be a colour morph of the
buff-banded rail The buff-banded rail (''Hypotaenidia philippensis'') is a distinctively coloured, highly dispersive, medium-sized rail of the rail family, Rallidae. This species comprises several subspecies found throughout much of Australasia and the south-we ...
. *** Fernando de Noronha rail, ''Rallidae gen. et sp. indet''. (Fernando de Noronha, West Atlantic, 16th century?) ***:A distinct species of rail inhabited Fernando de Noronha Island, but it has not been formally described yet. It probably still existed at the time of the first Western contact. *** Tahitian "goose", Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, late 18th century?) *:Early travelers to Tahiti reported a "goose" that was found in the mountains. Altogether, a species of rail in the genus ''
Porphyrio ''Porphyrio'' is the swamphen or swamp hen bird genus in the rail family. It includes some smaller species of gallinules which are sometimes separated as genus ''Porphyrula'' or united with the gallinules proper (or "moorhens") in '' Gallinula' ...
'' seems to be the most likely possibility. *** Bokaak "bustard", Rallidae? gen. et sp. indet. 'Bokaak' ***:An unidentified terrestrial bird is mentioned in an early report from Bokaak in the Marshall Islands. It was described as a "
bustard Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large, terrestrial birds living mainly in dry grassland areas and in steppe regions. They range in length from . They make up the family Otididae (, formerly known as Otidae). Bustards are ...
" and may have actually been a rail or a
megapode The megapodes, also known as incubator birds or mound-builders, are stocky, medium-large, chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet in the family Megapodiidae. Their name literally means "large foot" and is a reference to the heavy leg ...
. In the former case, it may have been a vagrant of a still-existing species; in any case, no bird that could be described as "bustard-like" is found on Bokaak today.Spennemann (2006) *** Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. 'Amsterdam Island' ***:Unknown rail from
Amsterdam Island Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dut ...
; one specimen was found, but it was not recovered. Extinct by 1800, it may have been a vagrant of a still-existing species.


Procellariiformes Procellariiformes is an order (biology), order of seabirds that comprises four family (biology), families: the albatrosses, the Procellariidae, petrels and shearwaters, and two families of storm petrels. Formerly called Tubinares and still call ...

Petrel Petrels are tube-nosed seabirds in the phylogenetic order Procellariiformes. Description Petrels are a monophyletic group of marine seabirds, sharing a characteristic of a nostril arrangement that results in the name "tubenoses". Petrels enco ...
s,
storm petrel Storm petrel or stormy petrel may refer to one of two bird family (biology), families, both in the order Procellariiformes, once treated as the same family. The two families are: * Northern storm petrels (''Hydrobatidae'') are found in the No ...
s,
shearwater Shearwaters are medium-sized long-winged seabirds in the petrel family Procellariidae. They have a global marine distribution, but are most common in temperate and cold waters, and are pelagic outside the breeding season. Description These tube ...
s and
albatross Albatrosses, of the biological family Diomedeidae, are large seabirds related to the procellariids, storm petrels, and diving petrels in the order Procellariiformes (the tubenoses). They range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Paci ...
es * Olson's petrel, ''Bulweria bifax'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, early 16th century) *
Saint Helena petrel The Saint Helena petrel (''Pterodroma rupinarum''), also known as the Saint Helena gadfly petrel or Large Saint Helena petrel, is an extinct species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. It was endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the So ...
, ''Pseudobulweria rupinarum'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, early 16th century) *
Imber's petrel Imber's petrel (''Pterodroma imberi'') is an extinct seabird of gadfly petrel from the Chatham Islands The Chatham Islands ( ; Moriori language, Moriori: , 'Misty Sun'; ) are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about east of New Zealand's ...
, ''Pterodroma imberi'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, early 19th century?) *:Described from subfossil bones. * Jamaican petrel, ''Pterodroma caribbaea'' (Jamaica, West Indies, late 19th century?) *:Possibly a subspecies of the black-capped petrel (''Pterodroma hasitata''); unconfirmed reports suggest it may still exist. Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. * ''Pterodroma'' cf. ''leucoptera'' (
Mangareva Mangareva is the central and largest island of the Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. It is surrounded by smaller islands: Taravai in the southwest, Aukena and Akamaru in the southeast, and islands in the north. Mangareva has a permanent p ...
,
Gambier Islands The Gambier Islands ( or ) are an archipelago in French Polynesia, located at the southeast terminus of the Tuamotu archipelago. They cover an area of , and are made up of the Mangareva Islands, a group of high islands remnants of a caldera alo ...
, South Pacific, 20th century?) *:A wing of a petrel carcass that was similar in appearance to
Gould's petrel Gould's petrel (''Pterodroma leucoptera'') is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. The common name commemorates the English ornithologist and bird artist John Gould (1804–1881). Description Gould's petrel is a small gadfly petr ...
(''Pterodroma leucoptera'') was recovered on Mangareva in 1922, where it possibly bred. No such birds are known to exist there today. *
Guadalupe storm petrel The Guadalupe storm petrel (''Hydrobates macrodactylus'') is a small seabird of the storm petrel family (biology), family Hydrobatidae. It bred only on Guadalupe Island off Baja California, Mexico, and presumably ranged throughout the region. It ...
, ''Hydrobates macrodactylus'' (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific, 1910s) *:Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct, but a thorough survey in 2000 concluded this species was certainly extinct.


Sphenisciformes Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae () of the order Sphenisciformes (). They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is equatorial, with a sm ...

Penguins Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae () of the order Sphenisciformes (). They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is equatorial, with a sm ...
* Extinct species of extant genera ** ''
Eudyptes ''Eudyptes'' is a genus of penguins whose members are collectively called crested penguins. The exact number of species in the genus varies between four and eight depending on the authority, and a Chatham Islands species became extinct in recent ...
''crested penguins ***
Chatham penguin The Chatham penguin (''Eudyptes warhami''), also known as the Chatham crested penguin, Chatham Islands penguin, or Warham's penguin, is an extinct species of crested penguin previously endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. It is known ...
, ''Eudyptes warhami'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, between 1867 and 1872?) ***:Only known from subfossil bones, but a bird kept in captivity sometime between 1867 and 1872 may refer to this species.


Suliformes The order Suliformes (, dubbed "Phalacrocoraciformes" by ''Christidis & Boles 2008'') is an order of birds recognised by the International Ornithological Congress, International Ornithologist's Union. Regarding the recent evidence that the tradit ...

Boobies A booby is a seabird in the genus ''Sula'', part of the family Sulidae. Boobies are closely related to the gannets (''Morus''), which were formerly included in ''Sula''. Systematics and evolution The genus ''Sula'' was introduced by the Fre ...
and related birds *
Sulidae The bird family Sulidae comprises the gannets and boobies. Collectively called sulids, they are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and similar prey. The 10 species in this family are often considered congeneric in older so ...
gannets and boobies **Mascarene booby, ''Papasula'' sp. (Mauritius and Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-19th century) ***An undescribed booby species that was formerly considered a population of
Abbott's booby Abbott's booby (''Papasula abbotti'') is an endangered seabird of the Sulidae, sulid family, which includes gannets and Booby, boobies. It is a large booby and is placed within its own monotypic genus. It was first identified from a specimen col ...
(''Papasula abbotti''). Known physically only from subfossil bones, but is likely the bird referred to as a ''boeuf'' by early settlers; the ''boeuf'' was last recorded on Rodrigues in 1832 and likely went extinct following the deforestation of the island. *
Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocoracidae is a family of approximately 40 species of aquatic birds commonly known as cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed, but in 2021 the International Ornithologists' Union (IOU) ado ...
cormorants and shags **
Spectacled cormorant The spectacled cormorant or Pallas's cormorant (''Urile perspicillatus'') is an extinct marine bird of the cormorant family of seabirds that inhabited Bering Island and possibly other places in the Commander Islands and the nearby coast of Kamch ...
, ''Urile perspicillatus'' (
Commander Islands The Commander Islands, Komandorski Islands, or Komandorskie Islands (, ''Komandorskiye ostrova'') are a series of islands in the Russian Far East, a part of the Aleutian Islands, located about east of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Bering Sea. ...
, North Pacific, c. 1850)


Pelecaniformes The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally (but erroneously) defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such ...

Pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before ...
s and related birds *
Threskiornithidae The family Threskiornithidae includes 36 species of large wading birds. The family has been traditionally classified into two subfamilies, the ibises and the spoonbills; however, recent genetic studies have cast doubt on this arrangement, and ha ...
ibises and spoonbills ** Extinct species of extant genera *** ''
Threskiornis ''Threskiornis'' is a genus of ibises, wading birds of the family Threskiornithidae. They occur in the warmer parts of the Old World in southern Asia, Australasia and Sub-Saharan Africa. They are colonial breeders, which build a stick nest in ...
'' ****
Réunion ibis The Réunion ibis or Réunion sacred ibis (''Threskiornis solitarius'') is an list of extinct birds, extinct species of ibis that was endemic to the volcanic island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The first subfossil remains were found in 1974 ...
, ''Threskiornis solitarius'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, early 18th century) ****:This species was the basis for the "Réunion solitaire" or "white dodo" ("''Raphus solitarius''"), a supposed relative of the
dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinction, extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightles ...
and the
Rodrigues solitaire The Rodrigues solitaire (''Pezophaps solitaria'') is an extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Rodrigues, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Genetically within the family of Columbidae, pigeons and doves, it wa ...
. Given the fact that ibis (but no dodo-like) bones were found on
Réunion Réunion (; ; ; known as before 1848) is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France. Part of the Mascarene Islands, it is located approximately east of the isl ...
and that old descriptions match a flightless
sacred ibis The African sacred ibis (''Threskiornis aethiopicus'') is a species of ibis, a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae. It is native to much of Africa, as well as small parts of Iraq, Iran and Kuwait. It is especially known for its role in ...
quite well, the "Réunion solitaire" hypothesis has been refuted. *
Ardeidae Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus '' Botaurus'' are referred to as ...
herons, egrets, and bitterns ** Botaurinaebitterns *** Extinct species of extant genera **** ''
Ixobrychus ''Botaurus'' is a genus (biology), genus of bitterns, a group of wading bird, birds in the heron family Ardeidae. The genus includes species that were previously placed in the genus ''Ixobrychus''. Taxonomy The genus ''Botaurus'' was introduced ...
'' ***
New Zealand bittern The New Zealand bittern (''Botaurus novaezelandiae'') is an extinct and enigmatic species of heron in the family Ardeidae. It was endemic to New Zealand and was last recorded alive in the 1890s. Common names for this species include New Zeala ...
, ''Ixobrychus novaezelandiae'' (New Zealand, late 19th century) ***:Long considered to be vagrant individuals of the
Australian little bittern The black-backed bittern (''Botaurus dubius''), also known as the black-backed least bittern or Australian little bittern, is a little-known species of heron in the family Ardeidae found in Australia and vagrant to southern New Guinea. Formerly ...
(''Ixobrychus dubius''); bones recovered from Holocene deposits indicate that this was indeed a distinct taxon, but it may not be a distinct species. **
Ardeinae Ardeinae is a subfamily of herons, which includes the day herons, night herons, and egrets. Taxonomy Extant Genera Fossils * Genus ''Proardea'' (fossil) * Genus ''Zeltornis'' (fossil, Early Miocene of Djebel Zelten, Libya) * Genus undetermin ...
herons and egrets *** Extinct species of extant genera **** ''
Nyctanassa ''Nyctanassa'' is a genus of night herons from the Americas, especially (but not exclusively) warmer coastal regions. They were formerly included in the genus '' Nycticorax'', but today all major authorities recognize them as distinct. Taxonom ...
'' *****
Bermuda night heron The Bermuda night heron (''Nyctanassa carcinocatactes'') is an extinct heron species from Bermuda. Taxonomy It is sometimes assigned to the genus '' Nycticorax''. It was first described by Storrs L. Olson & David B. Wingate (2006) from subfoss ...
, ''Nyctanassa carcinocatactes'' (
Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...
, West Atlantic, 17th century) *****:Sometimes assigned to the genus ''Nycticorax''. **** ''
Nycticorax ''Nycticorax'' is a genus of night herons. The name ''Nycticorax'' means "night raven" and derives from the Ancient Greek νύκτος, ''nuktos'' "night" and κοραξ, ''korax'', "raven". It refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of ...
'' ***** Réunion night heron, ''Nycticorax duboisi'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century) ***** Mauritius night heron, ''Nycticorax mauritianus'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1700) ***** Rodrigues night heron, ''Nycticorax megacephalus'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century) ***** Ascension night heron, ''Nycticorax olsoni'' (Ascension Island, South Atlantic, late 16th century?) *****:Known only from
subfossil A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...
bones, but the description of a flightless Ascension Island bird by André Thévet cannot be identified with anything other than this species.


Columbiformes Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with small heads, relatively short necks and slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. ...

Pigeon Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with small heads, relatively short necks and slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. ...
s, doves and
dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinction, extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightles ...
s
For the "Réunion solitaire", see
Réunion ibis The Réunion ibis or Réunion sacred ibis (''Threskiornis solitarius'') is an list of extinct birds, extinct species of ibis that was endemic to the volcanic island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The first subfossil remains were found in 1974 ...
. * †'' Ectopistes''Passenger pigeon **
Passenger pigeon The passenger pigeon or wild pigeon (''Ectopistes migratorius'') is an bird extinction, extinct species of Columbidae, pigeon that was endemic to North America. Its common name is derived from the French word ''passager'', meaning "passing by" ...
, ''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 Martha (Aramaic language, Aramaic: מָרְתָא‎) is a Bible, biblical figure described in the Gospels of Gospel of Luke, Luke and Gospel of John, John. Together with her siblings Lazarus of Bethany, Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is descr ...
after
Martha Washington Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 2, 1731 Old Style, O.S. – May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, who was the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, she served as the ...
, died in the
Cincinnati Zoo The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. It is located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It originally began with in the middle of the ...
in 1914. * †'' Dysmoropelia''Saint Helena dove **
Saint Helena dove The Saint Helena dove (''Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos'') is an extinct species of flightless bird in the family Columbidae. It is monotypic within the genus ''Dysmoropelia''. It was endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. ...
, ''Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, 16th century?) *:Known only from Late Pleistocene bones, but may have persisted until the 16th century. * †''
Raphus The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightless Rodrigues solitaire. ...
''Dodo **
Dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinction, extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightles ...
, ''Raphus cucullatus'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, late 17th century) *:Called ''Didus ineptus'' by
Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné,#Blunt, Blunt (2004), p. 171. was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming o ...
. A metre-high flightless bird found on
Mauritius Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Ag ...
. 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. * †'' Pezophaps''Rodrigues solitaire **
Rodrigues solitaire The Rodrigues solitaire (''Pezophaps solitaria'') is an extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Rodrigues, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Genetically within the family of Columbidae, pigeons and doves, it wa ...
, ''Pezophaps solitaria'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c. 1730) * Extinct species of extant genera ** 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) **
Rodrigues pigeon The Rodrigues pigeon or Rodrigues dove (''Nesoenas rodericanus'') is an extinct species of pigeon formerly endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues (island), Rodrigues. It is known from a subfossil sternum and some other bones, and the descri ...
, ''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. **
Spotted green pigeon The spotted green pigeon or Liverpool pigeon (''Caloenas maculata'') is a species of pigeon which is most likely extinct. It was first mentioned and described in 1783 by John Latham, who had seen two specimens of unknown provenance and a drawin ...
, ''Caloenas maculata'' (South Pacific or Indian Ocean islands, 1820s) **:Also known as the Liverpool pigeon, the only known specimen has been in Liverpool's
World Museum World Museum is a large museum in Liverpool, England which has extensive collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. Special attractions include the Natural History Centre and a planetarium. Entry to the ...
since 1851, and was probably collected on a
Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is bounded by the cont ...
island for Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. It has been suggested that this bird came from
Tahiti Tahiti (; Tahitian language, Tahitian , ; ) is the largest island of the Windward Islands (Society Islands), Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located in the central part of t ...
based on native lore about a somewhat similar extinct bird called the ''titi'', but this has not yet been verified. **
Sulu bleeding-heart The Sulu bleeding-heart or Tawitawi bleeding-heart (''Gallicolumba menagei'') is a species of bird in the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae. It is endemic to the island of Tawi-Tawi and its surrounding islets in the Philippines' Sulu Archipelago ...
, ''Gallicolumba menagei'' (Tawitawi, Philippines, late 1990s?) **:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. Only known from two specimens taken in 1891. There have been a number of unconfirmed reports from all over the
Sulu Archipelago The Sulu Archipelago ( Tausug: Kapū'-pūan sin Sūg Sulat Sūg: , ) is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, in the southwestern Philippines. The archipelago forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea and southern limit of the Sulu Se ...
in 1995; however, these reports stated that the bird had suddenly undergone a massive decline and, by now, habitat destruction is almost complete. If it is not extinct, this species is certainly very rare, but the ongoing
civil war A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...
prevents comprehensive surveys. **
Norfolk ground dove The Norfolk ground dove (''Pampusana norfolkensis'') was a species of bird in the Columbidae, or pigeon family. It was endemic to Norfolk Island, but became extinct due to introduced predators, disappearing within a few decades after European se ...
, ''Pampusana norfolciensis'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1800) **
Tanna ground dove The Tanna ground dove (''Pampusana ferruginea''), also known as Forster's dove of Tanna, is an extinct dove species. Its taxonomic affiliation is uncertain but at its first scientific discussion by Johann Georg Wagler in 1829 it was classified i ...
, ''Pampusana ferruginea'' (Tanna, Vanuatu, late 18th or 19th century) **:Only known from descriptions of two now-lost specimens. ** Thick-billed ground dove, ''Pampusana salamonis'' (Makira and Ramos, Solomon Islands, mid-20th century?) **:Last recorded in 1927, only two specimens exist. Declared extinct in 2005. ** Choiseul pigeon, ''Microgoura meeki'' (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, early 20th century) ** Red-moustached fruit dove, ''Ptilinopus mercierii'' (Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, Marquesas, 1922) **:Two subspecies, the little-known nominate subspecies ''P. m. mercierii'' of Nuku Hiva (extinct mid- to late 19th century) and ''P. m. tristrami'' of Hiva Oa (1922). ** Negros fruit dove, ''Ptilinopus arcanus'' (Negros, Philippines, late 20th century?) **: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 classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
, it may still exist on Panay, but no survey has located it. One possible record in 2002 does not seem to have been repeated since then. **
Mauritius blue pigeon The Mauritius blue pigeon (''Alectroenas nitidissimus'') is an extinct species of blue pigeon formerly endemism, endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. It has two extinct relatives from the Mascarene ...
, ''Alectroenas nitidissima'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1830s) ** Réunion blue pigeon, ''Alectroenas'' sp. (Réunion, Mascarenes, 1619) ** Providence blue pigeon, ''Alectroenas'' sp. (Farquhar Group, Seychelles, 19th century) **:Only known from early reports; possibly a subspecies of either the Comoros blue pigeon (''Alectroenas sganzini'') or the Seychelles blue pigeon (''Alectroenas pulcherrimus''). ** Mauritian turtle dove, ''Nesoenas cicur'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1730s) **:Similar to the Malagasy turtle dove but more terrestrial, with more robust legs and smaller wings. Disappeared by 1730 due to hunting, predation by introduced mammals, and deforestation. ** 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.


Cuculiformes Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...

Cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...
s * †'' Nannococcyx''Saint Helena cuckoo **
Saint Helena cuckoo The Saint Helena cuckoo (''Nannococcyx psix'') is an extinct bird. It was confirmed to have previously existed by a single humerus. Compared to other cuckoos, it was relatively small and it probably lived in forests on the island of Saint Helena. ...
, ''Nannococcyx psix'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, 18th century) * Extinct species of extant genera ** ''
Coua Couas are large, mostly terrestrial birds of the cuckoo family, endemic to the island of Madagascar. Couas are reminiscent of African turacos when walking along tree branches, and they likewise feature brightly coloured bare skin around the eyes ...
''couas, a genus endemic to
Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's List of islands by area, f ...
*** Delalande's coua, ''Coua delalandei'' (Madagascar, late 19th century?)


Cathartiformes Cathartiformes is a former order of scavenging birds which included the New World vultures and the now-extinct Teratornithidae. Unlike many Old World vultures, Canthartiformes lack talons and musculature in their feet suitable for seizing pre ...

New World vulture Cathartidae, known commonly as New World vultures or condors, are a family (biology), family of birds of prey consisting of seven extant species in five genus, genera. It includes five extant vultures and two extant condors found in the Americas. ...
s * "Painted vulture", ''Sarcoramphus sacra'' (Florida, North America, late 18th century?) ** A bird supposedly similar in appearance to the king vulture (''Sarcoramphus papa'') identified by
William Bartram William Bartram (April 20, 1739 – July 22, 1823) was an American naturalist, writer and explorer. Bartram was the author of an acclaimed book, now known by the shortened title Bartram's ''Travels'', which chronicled his explorations of the S ...
on his travels in the 1770s. Skeptics have stated that it is likely based on a misidentification of the
crested caracara The crested caracara (''Caracara plancus'') is a bird of prey (raptor) in the falcon Family (biology), family, Falconidae. It was formerly placed in the genus ''Polyborus'' before being given in its own genus, ''Caracara (genus), Caracara''. It i ...
(''Caracara plancus''), although evidence has increasingly shifted towards it being a valid taxon that once existed, either as a distinct species in its own right or as a subspecies of the king vulture, based on an independent illustration of a nearly identical bird made several decades earlier by
Eleazar Albin Eleazar Albin (floruit, fl. 1690 – c. 1742)Michael A. Salmon, Peter Marren, Basil Harley. ''The Aurelian Legacy'' (University of California Press, 2000) pp. 109-110. was an England, English natural history, naturalist and Watercolor painti ...
. See the
King vulture The king vulture (''Sarcoramphus papa'') is a large bird found in Central and South America. It is a member of the New World vulture family Cathartidae. This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mex ...
article for discussion.


Strigiformes

True owl The true owls or typical owls (family (biology), family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls and bay owls (Tytonidae). This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct species ...
s and
barn owl The barn owls, owls in the genus '' Tyto'', are the most widely distributed genus of owls in the world. They are medium-sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. The ter ...
s
Strigidae The true owls or typical owls (family (biology), family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls and bay owls (Tytonidae). This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct species ...
true owls * Pernambuco pygmy owl, ''Glaucidium mooreorum'' (Pernambuco, Brazil, 2001?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
, but it may still exist. A 2018
BirdLife BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding i ...
study citing extinction patterns recommended reclassifying this species as possibly extinct. * Réunion scops owl, ''Otus grucheti'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century?) * Mauritius scops owl, ''Otus sauzieri'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c. 1850) *
Rodrigues scops owl The Rodrigues scops owl (''Otus murivorus''), also known as Rodrigues owl, Rodrigues lizard owl, Leguat's owl, or (somewhat misleadingly) Rodrigues little owl, was a small owl. It lived on the Mascarene island of Rodrigues, but it is nowadays ext ...
, ''Otus murivorus'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century) *:The preceding three species were variously placed in the genera ''Bubo'', ''Athene'', ''"Scops"'' (=''Otus''), ''Strix'' and ''Tyto'' and even in their own genus, ''Mascarenotus'', before their true affinity was realized. * Siau scops owl, ''Otus siaoensis'' (
Siau Island Siau is an island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, located in the Sangir Archipelago approximately off the northern tip of Sulawesi in the Celebes Sea. Covering a land area of 160 km2, it is the main island of the Sitaro Islands Regency of North Su ...
, Indonesia, 20th century?) *:Only known from the holotype collected in 1866. It may still exist, as there are ongoing rumors of scops owls at Siau. * New Caledonian boobook, ''Ninox'' cf. ''novaeseelandiae'' (New Caledonia, Melanesia) *:Known only from prehistoric bones, but it may still exist. *
Laughing owl The laughing owl (''Ninox albifacies''), also known as ''whēkau'', the laughing jackass, or the white-faced owl, is an Extinction, extinct species of owl that was Endemism, endemic to New Zealand. Plentiful when European settlers arrived in Ne ...
, ''Ninox albifacies'' (New Zealand, 1914?) *:Two subspecies: the nominate subspecies ''N. a. albifacies'' (South Island and Stewart Island, extinct 1914?) and ''N. a. rufifacies'' (North Island, extinct c. 1870s?); circumstantial evidence suggests that small remnants survived until the early or mid-20th century.
Tytonidae The bird family Tytonidae, which includes the barn owls ''Tyto'' and the bay owls ''Phodilus'', is one of the two Family (biology), families of owls, the other being the true owls or typical owls, True owl, Strigidae. They are medium to large owl ...
barn owls * Puerto Rican barn owl, ''Tyto cavatica'' (Puerto Rico, West Indies, early 20th century?) *:Known from prehistoric bones found in caves on Puerto Rico; it may have still existed up to 1912, given reports of the presence of cave-roosting owls. Likely a subspecies of, or synonymous with, the still-existing ashy-faced owl (''Tyto glaucops'').


Caprimulgiformes Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called bugeaters, their primary source of food ...

Caprimulgidaenightjars and nighthawks * Jamaican poorwill, ''Siphonorhis americana'' (Jamaica, West Indies, late 19th century?) *:Reports of unidentifiable nightjars from the 1980s in habitat appropriate for this cryptic species suggest that it may still exist. Research into this possibility is currently underway; pending further information, it is officially 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 exist. Compare the
Puerto Rican nightjar The Puerto Rican nightjar, Puerto Rican whip-poor-will or guabairo (''Antrostomus noctitherus'') is a bird in the nightjar family found in the coastal dry scrub forests in localized areas of southwestern Puerto Rico. It was described in 1916 fro ...
(''Antrostomus noctitherus'') and the preceding species. * Vaurie's nightjar, ''Caprimulgus centralasicus'' (China, early 20th century?) *:Only known from a single specimen from
Xinjiang Xinjiang,; , SASM/GNC romanization, SASM/GNC: Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Sinkiang, officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an Autonomous regions of China, autonomous region of the China, People' ...
, China taken in 1929. It has never been seen or found again, but the validity of this supposed species is seriously disputed. It was, however, never refuted to be an immature desert-dwelling female
European nightjar The European nightjar (''Caprimulgus europaeus''), common goatsucker, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and the Palearctic to Mongolia and Northweste ...
(''Caprimulgus europaeus''). * New Caledonian nightjar, ''Eurostopodus exsul'' (New Caledonia, Melanesia, mid-20th century) *:This species was sighted only once in 1939; due to its cryptic habits, it may still be extant, but this is now considered to be unlikely.


Aegotheliformes Owlet-nightjars are small crepuscular birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. Most are native to New Guinea, but some species extend to Australia, the Moluccas, and New Caledonia. A flightless bird, flightless species from New Zealand is e ...

Aegothelidae * New Caledonian owlet-nightjar, ''Aegotheles savesi'' (New Caledonia, late 1990s) *not to be confused with the New Caledonian nightjar. The type specimen was collected after the bird flew into a bedroom in the village of Tonghoué. This large owlet-nightjar is only known from two specimens taken in 1880 and 1915, two other confirmed sightings and two other partly disputed sightings and one unconfirmed debated sighting. The most recent report is from a 1998 expedition which saw a large nightjar foraging for insects at dusk in Rivière Ni Valley.


Apodiformes The Apodiformes is an Order (biology), order, or Taxonomy, taxonomic grouping, of Bird, birds which traditionally contained three living Family (biology), families—the Swift (bird), Apodidae (swifts), the Treeswift, Hemiprocnidae (treeswifts), ...

Swift Swift or SWIFT most commonly refers to: * SWIFT, an international organization facilitating transactions between banks ** SWIFT code * Swift (programming language) * Swift (bird), a family of birds It may also refer to: Organizations * SWIF ...
s and
hummingbird Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the Family (biology), biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genus, genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Cen ...
s * Letitia's thorntail, ''Discosura letitiae'' (Bolivia?) *:Known only from three trade specimens of unknown origin. It may still exist. * Brace's emerald, ''Riccordia bracei'' (New Providence, Bahamas, West Indies, late 19th century) * Gould's emerald, ''Riccordia elegans'' (Jamaica or northern Bahamas, West Indies, late 19th century) * Turquoise-throated puffleg, ''Eriocnemis godini'' (Ecuador, 20th century?) *:Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Known only from six pre-1900 specimens, the habitat where it occurred has been destroyed. However, the bird's distribution remains unresolved. * Guanacaste hummingbird, ''Saucerottia alfaroana'' (Miravalles Volcano, Costa Rica) *:A possibly extinct species of hummingbird known only from a holotype collected in 1895 at the Miravalles Volcano in Costa Rica.


Coraciiformes The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colourful birds including the kingfishers, the bee-eaters, the rollers, the motmots, and the todies. They generally have syndactyly, with three forward-pointing toes (and toes 3 & 4 fused at their b ...

Kingfisher Kingfishers are a family, the Alcedinidae, of small to medium-sized, brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species living in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, ...
s and related birds * Saint Helena hoopoe, ''Upupa antaois'' (St. Helena, South Atlantic, early 16th century) *
Guam kingfisher The Guam kingfisher (''Todiramphus cinnamominus''), called in Chamorro, is a species of kingfisher from the United States Territory of Guam. It is restricted to a captive breeding program following its extinction in the wild due primarily to ...
, ''Todirhmphus cinnamominus'' (Guam, West Pacific, 1986) *:This species became
extinct in the wild A species that is extinct in the wild (EW) is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as only consisting of living members kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range ...
in 1986 when 29 birds were taken for a captive breeding program, which is still ongoing. Its decline was caused by predation by introduced
brown tree snake The brown tree snake (''Boiga irregularis''), also known as the brown catsnake, is an arboreal rear-fanged colubrid snake native to eastern and northern coastal Australia, eastern Indonesia (Sulawesi to Papua), Papua New Guinea, and many island ...
s.


Piciformes Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes (), the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives. The Piciformes contain about 71 living genera with a little over 450 species, ...

Woodpecker Woodpeckers are part of the bird family (biology), family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme ...
s and related birds * Extinct species of extant genera ** ''
Colaptes ''Colaptes'' is a genus of birds in the woodpecker family Picidae. The 14 extant species are found across the Americas. ''Colaptes'' woodpeckers typically have a brown or green back and wings with black barring, and a beige to yellowish undersid ...
'' ***
Bermuda flicker The Bermuda flicker (''Colaptes oceanicus'') is an extinct woodpecker from the genus ''Colaptes''. It was confined to Bermuda and is known only by fossil remains dated to the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene. However, an old travel report by exp ...
, ''Colaptes oceanicus'' (Bermuda, West Atlantic, 17th century?) ***:Known only from fossil bones found in Bermuda and dated to the
Late Pleistocene The Late Pleistocene is an unofficial Age (geology), age in the international geologic timescale in chronostratigraphy, also known as the Upper Pleistocene from a Stratigraphy, stratigraphic perspective. It is intended to be the fourth division ...
and the
Holocene The Holocene () is the current geologic time scale, geological epoch, beginning approximately 11,700 years ago. It follows the Last Glacial Period, which concluded with the Holocene glacial retreat. The Holocene and the preceding Pleistocene to ...
; however, a 17th-century report written by explorer Captain John Smith may refer to this species. ** ''
Campephilus ''Campephilus'' is a genus of large American woodpeckers in the family Picidae. Taxonomy The genus ''Campephilus'' was introduced by English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1840, with the ivory-billed woodpecker (''Campephilus principalis'') as ...
'' *** Imperial woodpecker, ''Campephilus imperialis'' (Mexico, late 20th century) ***:This 60-centimetre-long woodpecker is officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Occasional unconfirmed reports come up; the most recent was in late 2005. ***
Ivory-billed woodpecker The ivory-billed woodpecker (''Campephilus principalis'') is a woodpecker native to the Southern United States and Cuba. Habitat destruction and hunting have reduced populations so severely that the last universally accepted sighting in the Uni ...
, ''Campephilus principalis'' (southeastern United States and Cuba, late 20th century) ***:The nominate subspecies, the American ivory-billed woodpecker (''C. p. principalis''), is officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
and considered possibly extinct by some authorities. ***:The
Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker The Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker () (''Campephilus principalis bairdii'') is a subspecies of the ivory-billed woodpecker native to Cuba. Originally classified as a separate species, recent research has indicated that ''C. p. bairdii'' may, in fa ...
(''C. p. bairdii'') is generally considered to be extinct, but a few patches of unsurveyed potential habitat remain.


Falconiformes The order Falconiformes () is represented by the extant family Falconidae, Falconidae (falcons and caracaras) and a handful of enigmatic Paleogene species. Traditionally, the other bird of prey families New World vulture, Cathartidae (New World v ...

Birds of prey Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as (although not the same as) raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively predation, hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and smaller birds). In addition to speed ...
*
Guadalupe caracara The Guadalupe caracara (''Caracara lutosa'') or mourning caracara is an extinct bird of prey belonging to the falcon family (Falconidae). It was, together with the closely related crested caracara (''Caracara plancus''), formerly placed in the ...
, ''Caracara lutosa'' (Guadalupe, East Pacific, 1900 or 1903) *
Réunion kestrel The Réunion kestrel (''Falco duboisi'') is an extinct bird of prey which belongs to the falcon family. It was endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion and was part of the Western Indian Ocean radiation of kestrels. Description Known fro ...
, ''Falco duboisi'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700)


Psittaciformes

Parrot Parrots (Psittaciformes), also known as psittacines (), are birds with a strong curved beak, upright stance, and clawed feet. They are classified in four families that contain roughly 410 species in 101 genus (biology), genera, found mostly in ...
s *
Strigopidae The New Zealand parrot family, Strigopidae,Nestoridae and Strigopidae are described in the same article, Bonaparte, C.L. (1849) ''Conspectus Systematis Ornithologiae''. Therefore, under rules of the ICZN, the first reviser determines priority, ...
kakas and kakapos ** Extinct species of extant genera *** '' Nestor'' ****
Chatham kākā The Chatham kākā or Chatham Island kākā (''Nestor chathamensis'') is an extinct parrot species previously found on the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. The first individuals were thought to belong to the New Zealand kākā (''Nestor meridionalis ...
, ''Nestor chathamensis'' (Chatham Islands, New Zealand, between 1500 and 1650) ****
Norfolk kākā The Norfolk kākā (''Nestor productus'') is an extinct species of large parrot, belonging to the parrot family Nestoridae. The birds were about 38 cm long, with mostly olive-brown upperparts, reddish-orange cheeks and throat, straw-colour ...
, ''Nestor productus'' (Norfolk and Philip Islands, Southwest Pacific, 1851?) *
Psittacidae The Family (biology), family Psittacidae or holotropical parrots is one of three families of true parrots. It comprises the 12 species of subfamily Psittacinae (the Afrotropics, Afrotropical parrots) and 167 of subfamily Arinae (the New World or ...
parrots, parakeets, and lorikeets **
Sinú parakeet The Sinú parakeet (''Pyrrhura subandina'') is a bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. BirdLife International's ''Handbook of the Birds of the World'' recognizes it as a full species. The Internati ...
, ''Pyrrhura subandina'' (Colombia, mid-20th century?) **:This bird has a very restricted distribution and was last reliably recorded in 1949. It was not found during searches in 2004 and 2006 and seems to be extinct; efforts to find it again continue, but are hampered by the threat of armed conflict. ** Society parakeet, ''Cyanoramphus ulietanus'' (Raiatea, Society Islands, South Pacific, late 18th century) ** Black-fronted parakeet, ''Cyanoramphus zealandicus'' (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, c. 1850) ** Lord Howe parakeet, ''Cyanorhamphus subflavescens'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1870) ** Macquarie parakeet, ''Cyanorhamphus erythrotis'' (Macquarie Islands, Southwest Pacific, 1890s) **:Last recorded in 1890 and not found by surveys in 1894. **
Paradise parrot The paradise parrot (''Psephotellus pulcherrimus'') was a colourful medium-sized parrot native to the grassy woodlands extending across the Queensland and New South Wales border area of eastern Australia. Once moderately common within its fairly ...
, ''Psephotellus pulcherrimus'' (Rockhampton area, Australia, late 1920s) **
Oceanic eclectus The oceanic eclectus (''Eclectus infectus'') is an extinct parrot species which occurred on Tonga, Vanuatu and possibly on Fiji. Its closest living relative is the eclectus parrot (''Eclectus roratus'' sensu lato), which has proportionally larg ...
, ''Eclectus infectus'', known from subfossil bones found on Tonga, Vanuatu, and possibly Fiji, may have survived until the 18th century or even longer: a bird which seems to be a male ''Eclectus'' parrot was drawn in a report on the Tongan island of Vavau by the Malaspina expedition. Also, a 19th-century Tongan name ''āā'' ("parrot") for "a beautiful bird found only at Eua" is attested (see here under "kākā"). This seems to refer to either ''E. infectus'', which in Tonga is only known from Vavau and Eua, or the extirpated population of the
collared lory The collared lory (''Vini solitaria'') is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. It is the only Fijian rainforest bird to adapt to urban landscapes and can be found in urban Suva. Measuring , it h ...
(''Vini solitaria''), which also occurred there. It is possible, but unlikely, that this species survived on Eua until the 19th century. **
New Caledonian lorikeet The New Caledonian lorikeet (''Vini diadema'') is a possibly extinct Lories and lorikeets, lorikeet endemic (ecology), endemic to the Melanesian island of New Caledonia. Taxonomy The New Caledonian lorikeet was formerly assigned to the genus ''C ...
, ''Vini diadema'' (New Caledonia, Melanesia, mid-20th century?) **:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
, there have been no reports of this species since the mid-20th century. It is, however, small and inconspicuous and is likely to have been overlooked. **
Seychelles parakeet The Seychelles parakeet or Seychelles Island parrot (''Psittacula wardi'') is an extinct species of parrot that was endemic to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. It was scientifically named ''Palaeornis wardi'' by the British ornithologist Edw ...
, ''Psittacula wardi'' (Seychelles, West Indian Ocean, 1883) **
Newton's parakeet Newton's parakeet (''Psittacula exsul''), also known as the Rodrigues parakeet or Rodrigues ring-necked parakeet, is an extinction, extinct species of parrot that was Endemism in birds, endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues in the wester ...
, ''Psittacula exsul'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c. 1875) **
Mascarene grey parakeet The Mascarene grey parakeet, Mauritius grey parrot, or Thirioux's grey parrot (''Psittacula bensoni''), is an extinct species of parrot which was endemic to the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and Réunion in the western Indian Ocean. It has been ...
, ''Psittacula bensoni'' (Mauritius, possibly Réunion as ''Psittacula'' cf. ''bensoni'', 1760s). **:Formerly known as the Mauritius grey parrot (''Lophopsittacus bensoni''). Known from a 1602 sketch by Captain Willem van Westzanen and by subfossil bones described by David Thomas Holyoak in 1973. It may have survived into the mid-18th century. **
Mascarene parrot The Mascarene parrot or mascarin (''Mascarinus mascarinus'') is an Extinction, extinct species of parrot that was endemic to the Mascarene Islands, Mascarene island of Réunion in the western Indian Ocean. The Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic rela ...
, ''Mascarinus mascarinus'' (Réunion and possibly Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1834?) **:The last known individual was a captive bird which was alive before 1834. **
Broad-billed parrot The broad-billed parrot or raven parrot (''Lophopsittacus mauritianus'') is a large extinct parrot in the family (biology), family Psittaculidae. It was endemism in birds, endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius. The species was first refe ...
, ''Lophopsittacus mauritianus'' (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1680?) **:It may have survived into the late 18th century. ** Rodrigues parrot, ''Necropsittacus rodericanus'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, late 18th century) **:The species '' N. francicus'' is fictional, '' N. borbonicus'' is most likely so. **
Glaucous macaw The glaucous macaw (''Anodorhynchus glaucus'') is a critically endangered or possibly extinct species of large, blue and grey South American parrot, a member of a large group of neotropical parrots known as macaws. This macaw is closely related ...
, ''Anodorhynchus glaucus'' (northern Argentina, early 20th century) **:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
due to persistent rumors of wild birds, but probably extinct. **
Cuban macaw The Cuban macaw or Cuban red macaw (''Ara tricolor'') is an extinct species of macaw native to the main island of Cuba and the nearby Isla de la Juventud. It became extinct in the late 19th century. Its relationship with other macaws in its genu ...
, ''Ara tricolor'' (Cuba, late 19th century) **:A number of related macaw 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. **
Carolina parakeet The Carolina parakeet (''Conuropsis carolinensis''), or Carolina conure, is an extinct species of small green neotropical parrot with a bright yellow head, reddish orange face, and pale beak that was native to the Eastern, Midwest, and Plains ...
, ''Conuropsis carolinensis'' (southeastern North America, c. 1930?) **:Although the date of the last captive bird's death in the Cincinnati Zoo, 1918, is generally given as this species' date of extinction, there are convincing reports of some wild populations persisting until later. Two subspecies, ''C. c. carolinensis'' (Carolina parakeet, east and south of the Appalachian Mountainsextinct either 1918 or c. 1930) and ''C. c. ludovicianus'' (Louisiana parakeet, west of the Appalachian Mountainsextinct c. 1912). **
Guadeloupe parakeet The Guadeloupe parakeet (''Psittacara labati'') is a hypothetical species of parrot that would have been endemic to Guadeloupe. Description Jean-Baptiste Labat described a population of small parrots living on Guadeloupe: Taxonomy They were ...
, ''Psittacara labati'' (Guadeloupe, West Indies, late 18th century) **:Only known from descriptions; the former existence of this bird is likely both for biogeographic reasons and because details about it as described cannot be referred to any known species. ** Puerto Rican parakeet, ''Psittacara maugei'' (Mona Island and possibly Puerto Rico, West Indies, 1890s) **:Formerly considered to be a weakly differentiated subspecies of the still-existing Hispaniolan parakeet (''Psittacara chloropterus''). **
Martinique amazon The Martinique amazon (''Amazona martinicana'') is a hypothetical extinct species of Caribbean parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is not known from any material remains, but was said to be similar to the red-necked amazon (''A. arausiaca'') f ...
, ''Amazona martinica'' (Martinique, West Indies, mid-18th century) ** Guadeloupe amazon, ''Amazona violacea'' (Guadeloupe, West Indies, mid-18th century) **:These two extinct amazons were originally described from travelers' descriptions. Their existence is still controversial.


Passeriformes A passerine () is any bird of the order Passeriformes (; from Latin 'sparrow' and '-shaped') which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds, passerines generally have an anisodactyl arrangement of their ...

Perching bird A passerine () is any bird of the Order (biology), order Passeriformes (; from Latin 'sparrow' and '-shaped') which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds, passerines generally have an Dactyly#In birds, ...
s
Acanthisittidae The New Zealand wrens are a family (Acanthisittidae) of tiny passerines endemic to New Zealand. They were represented by seven Holocene species in four or five genera, although only two species in two genera survive today. They are understood to ...
New Zealand "wrens" *
Lyall's wren Lyall's wren or the Stephens Island wren (''Traversia lyalli'') was a small, flightless passerine belonging to the family Acanthisittidae, the New Zealand wrens. Now extinct, it was once found throughout New Zealand, but when it came to the a ...
, ''Traversia lyalli'' (New Zealand, 1895?) *:A flightless species that was famously (but erroneously) claimed to have become extinct due to predation by a single lighthouse keeper's cat named "Tibbles". *
Bushwren The bushwren (''Xenicus longipes''), also known as the in the Māori language, is an extinct species of diminutive and nearly flightless bird that was endemic to New Zealand. It had three subspecies on each of the major islands of New Zealand, ...
, ''Xenicus longipes'' (New Zealand, 1972) *:Three subspecies, ''X. l. stokesi'' (North Island, extinct 1955); the nominate subspecies ''X. l. longipes'' (South Island, extinct 1968) and ''X. l. variabilis'' (Stewart Island, extinct 1972).
Tyrannidae The tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) comprise a Family (biology), family of passerine birds which is found virtually throughout North America, North and South America. It is the world's largest family of birds, with more than 400 species, and is ...
tyrant flycatchers *
San Cristóbal flycatcher The San Cristóbal flycatcher (''Pyrocephalus dubius''), also known as San Cristóbal vermilion flycatcher or least vermilion flycatcher, is an extinct species of flycatcher, closely related to the vermilion flycatcher. It was endemic to San Crist ...
, ''Pyrocephalus dubius'' (San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Islands, late 20th century) *:Described as extremely rare by David W. Steadman in the 1980s and not found despite a six-month survey in 1998. Furnariidaeovenbirds * Cryptic treehunter, ''Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti'' (eastern Brazil, 2007) * Alagoas foliage-gleaner, ''Philydor novaesi'' (eastern Brazil, 2011)
Mohoidae Mohoidae, also known as the Hawaiian honeyeaters, was a Family (biology), family of Hawaiian species of now Holocene extinction event, recently Extinction, extinct, Nectarivore, nectarivorous songbirds in the genera ''Moho (genus), Moho'' (ōō) ...
Hawaiian honeyeaters. Family established in 2008, previously in Meliphagidae. *
Kioea The kioea (''Chaetoptila angustipluma'') was an endemic Hawaiian bird that became extinct around the mid-19th century. Description The kioea was a large bird, about long, with a long, slightly curved bill. What distinguished the kioea from oth ...
, ''Chaetoptila angustipluma'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1860s) * Hawaii ōō, ''Moho nobilis'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1930s) * Oahu ōō, ''Moho apicalis'' (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, mid-19th century) * Bishop's ōō, ''Moho bishopi'' (Molokai and probably Maui, Hawaiian Islands, c. 1910 or 1980s) * Kauai ōō, ''Moho braccatus'' (Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, 1987)
Meliphagidae The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family (biology), family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Epthianura, Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, Manorina, miners and melidectes. They are m ...
honeyeaters and Australian chats * Chatham bellbird, ''Anthornis melanocephala'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1910) *:Sometimes regarded as a subspecies of the
New Zealand bellbird The New Zealand bellbird (''Anthornis melanura''), also known by its Māori language names korimako, makomako and kōmako, is a medium-sized species of honeyeater Endemism in birds, endemic to New Zealand. It has been the only living member of ...
(''Anthornis melanera''). Unconfirmed records exist from the early to mid-1950s. * The identity of ''" Strigiceps leucopogon"'' (an invalid name) described by Lesson in 1840 is unclear. Apart from the holotype supposedly from " New Holland", a second specimen from the "
Himalaya The Himalayas, or Himalaya ( ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest. More than 100 pea ...
" either may have existed or may still exist. Lesson tentatively allied it to the Meliphagidae, and Rothschild felt reminded of the
kioea The kioea (''Chaetoptila angustipluma'') was an endemic Hawaiian bird that became extinct around the mid-19th century. Description The kioea was a large bird, about long, with a long, slightly curved bill. What distinguished the kioea from oth ...
.
Acanthizidae Acanthizidae—sometimes called Australian warblers—are a family of passerine birds which includes gerygones, thornbills '' Acanthiza'', and scrubwrens '' Sericornis''. The family Acanthizidae consists of small to medium passerine birds, with ...
scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones *
Lord Howe gerygone The Lord Howe gerygone or Lord Howe gerygone flyeater (''Gerygone insularis'') was a small bird in the family Acanthizidae, brown and greyish in color. Its head was brown apart from a pale grey eye-ring and a grey throat and chin, many parts of ...
, ''Gerygone insularis'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1930)
Pachycephalidae The Pachycephalidae are a family of bird species that includes the whistlers, shrikethrushes, and three of the pitohuis, and is part of the ancient Australo-Papuan radiation of songbirds. The family includes 69 species that are separated into fi ...
whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies * Mangarevan whistler, ?''Pachycephala gambierana'' (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, South Pacific, late 19th century?) *:Tentatively placed here. A mysterious bird of which no specimens exist today. It was initially described as a shrike, then classified as an ''Eopsalteria'' "robin" and may actually be an ''Acrocephalus'' warbler. Dicruridaemonarch flycatchers and allies * Maupiti monarch, ''Pomarea pomarea'' (Maupiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, mid-19th century) * Eiao monarch, ''Pomarea fluxa'' (Eiao, Marquesas, late 1970s) *:Previously considered a subspecies of the Iphis monarch (''Pomarea iphis''), this is an early offspring of the Marquesan stock. *
Nuku Hiva monarch The Nuku Hiva monarch (''Pomarea nukuhivae''), or Nukuhiva flycatcher, was a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It was endemic to French Polynesia. Its natural habitats were subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tr ...
, ''Pomarea nukuhivae'' (Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, mid- to late 20th century) *:Previously considered a subspecies of the Marquesas monarch (''Pomarea mendozae''), this is another early offspring of the Marquesan stock. * Ua Pou monarch, ''Pomarea mira'' (Ua Pou, Marquesas, c. 1986) *:Also previously considered a subspecies of the Marquesas monarch, this was a distinct species most closely related to that bird and the Fatuhiva monarch (''Pomarea whitneyi''). *
Guam flycatcher The Guam flycatcher (''Myiagra freycineti''), or Guam broadbill, is an extinct species of bird in the family Monarchidae formerly endemic to Guam. Taxonomy and systematics Some authorities consider the Guam flycatcher to have been a subspecies o ...
, ''Myiagra freycineti'' (Guam and Marianas, West Pacific, 1983) *:Possibly a subspecies of the
oceanic flycatcher The Chuuk flycatcher (''Myiagra oceanica''), formerly sometimes known as the oceanic flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to Micronesia and can be found on the Caroline Islands. The diversity of traits in the ...
(''Myiagra oceanica''). OriolidaeOld World orioles and allies * North Island piopio, ''Turnagra tanagra'' (North Island, New Zealand, c. 1970?) *:Not reliably recorded since about 1900. *
South Island piopio The South Island piopio (''Turnagra capensis'') also known as the New Zealand thrush, is an extinct species of passerine bird of the family Oriolidae. Milford Sound in the South Island of New Zealand is known as Piopiotahi in te reo Māori. ...
, ''Turnagra capensis'' (South Island, New Zealand, 1960s?) *:Two subspecies, ''T. c. minor'' from Stephens Island (extinct c. 1897) and the nominate subspecies ''T. c. capensis'' from the South Island mainland (last specimen taken in 1902, last unconfirmed record in 1963)
Corvidae Corvidae is a Cosmopolitan distribution, cosmopolitan Family (biology), family of Songbird, oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, Rook (bird), rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, treepies, choughs, and Nutcracker (bird), nutcrackers ...
crows, ravens, jays and magpies *
Hawaiian crow The Hawaiian crow or alalā (''Corvus hawaiiensis'') is a species of bird in the crow family, Corvidae, that is currently extinct in the wild, though reintroduction programs are underway. It is about the size of the carrion crow at in length, ...
, ''Corvus hawaiiensis'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 2002) *:This species is
extinct in the wild A species that is extinct in the wild (EW) is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as only consisting of living members kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range ...
, but it is being bred in captivity.
Callaeidae Callaeidae (sometimes Callaeatidae) is a family of passerine birds endemic to New Zealand. It contains three genera, with five species in the family. One species, the huia, became extinct early in the 20th century, while the South Island kōk ...
New Zealand wattlebirds *
Huia The huia ( ; ; ''Heteralocha acutirostris'') is an extinct species of New Zealand wattlebird, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907, although there was another credible sighting in 1924 ...
, ''Heteralocha acutirostris'' (North Island, New Zealand, early 20th century) *
South Island kōkako The South Island kōkako (''Callaeas cinereus'') is a forest bird endemic to the South Island and Stewart Island of New Zealand. Unlike its close relative, the North Island kōkako (''C. wilsoni''), it has largely orange wattles, with only a sma ...
, ''Callaeas cinereus'' (South Island, New Zealand, 1960s?) *:This species is usually considered to be extinct, as it has not been reliably recorded since 1967. However, recent reports from Fiordland suggest that it may still exist.
Hirundinidae The swallows, martins, and saw-wings, or Hirundinidae are a family of passerine songbirds found around the world on all continents, including occasionally in Antarctica. Highly adapted to aerial feeding, they have a distinctive appearance. The t ...
swallows and martins *
White-eyed river martin The white-eyed river martin (''Pseudochelidon sirintarae'') is a passerine bird, one of only two members of the river martin subfamily of the swallows. Since it has significant differences from its closest relative, the African river martin, it ...
, ''Pseudochelidon sirintarae'' (Thailand, late 1980s?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
, this enigmatic species is only known from migrating birds and it was last seen in 1986 at its former roost site. Recent unconfirmed reports suggest that it may still exist in
Cambodia Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...
. * Red Sea cliff swallow, ''Petrochelidon perdita'' (Red Sea area, late 20th century?) *:Known from a single specimen found in 1984; this enigmatic swallow may still exist, but the lack of recent records is puzzling. It is also alternatively placed in the genus ''Hirundo''.
Acrocephalidae The Acrocephalidae (the reed warblers, marsh- and tree-warblers, or acrocephalid warblers) are a family of oscine passerine birds, in the superfamily Sylvioidea. The species in this family are usually rather large "warblers". Most are rather pl ...
acrocephalid warblers or marsh warblers, tree warblers and reed warblers *
Nightingale reed warbler The nightingale reed warbler (''Acrocephalus luscinius''), or Guam reed-warbler, is an extinct songbird that was endemic to Guam. Taxonomy and systematics The nightingale reed warbler was described by the French zoologists Jean Quoy and ...
, ''Acrocephalus luscinius'' (Guam, West Pacific, c. 1970s) *
Pagan reed warbler The Pagan reed warbler (''Acrocephalus yamashinae'') is an extinct species of passerine bird in the family Acrocephalidae, sometimes considered a subspecies of the nightingale reed warbler. It originally occurred on Pagan Island and "was extinct ...
, ''Acrocephalus yamashinae'' (Pagan, Marianas, West Pacific, 1970s) *:Previously considered a subspecies of the nightingale reed warbler. * Aguiguan reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus nijoi'' (Aguiguan, Marianas, West Pacific, c. 1997) *:Also previously considered a subspecies of the nightingale reed warbler. * Mangareva reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus astrolabii'' (Marianas?, West Pacific, mid-19th century?) *:Known only from two specimens found on Mangareva Island. * Garrett's reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus musae'' (Raiatea and Huahine, Society Islands, South Pacific, 19th century?) *:Two subspecies, ''A. m. garretti'' from Huahine and ''A. m. musae'' from Raiatea. Previously considered a subspecies of the Tahiti reed warbler (''Acrocephalus caffer''). * Moorea reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus longirostris'' (Moorea, Society Islands, South Pacific, 1980s?) *:The last reliable sighting of this bird was in 1981. A survey in 1986 / 1987 was unsuccessful in finding it. A photograph of a warbler from Moorea in 1998 or 1999 taken by Philippe Bacchet remains uncertain, as do reports from 2003 and 2010. Also previously considered a subspecies of the Tahiti reed warbler.
Muscicapidae The Old World flycatchers are a large family, the Muscicapidae, of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia), with the exception of several vagrants and two species, bluethroat (''Luscinia svecica'') and north ...
Old World flycatchers and chats * Rück's blue flycatcher, ''Cyornis ruckii'' (Malaysia or Indochina, 20th century?) *:An enigmatic species known only from two or four possibly migrant specimens, last recorded in 1918. It may still exist in northeastern Indochina. Possibly a subspecies of the Hainan blue flycatcher (''Cyornis hainanus'').
Megaluridae Locustellidae is a recently recognised family of small insectivorous songbirds ("warblers"), formerly placed in the Old World warbler "wastebin" family. It contains the grasshopper warblers, grassbirds, and the '' Bradypterus'' "bush warblers". T ...
megalurid warblers or grass warblers * Chatham fernbird, ''Poodytes rufescens'' (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1900) *:Often placed in the genus ''Megalurus'', but this is based on an incomplete review of the evidence.
Cisticolidae The family Cisticolidae is a group of about 160 warblers, small passerine birds found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They were formerly included within the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. This family probably originated ...
cisticolas and allies * Tana River cisticola, ''Cisticola restrictus'' (Kenya, Africa, 1970s?) *:A mysterious species found in the Tana River Basin in small numbers at various dates but not seen since 1972. It is probably invalid; if so, it may be based on aberrant or hybrid specimens. An unconfirmed sighting was apparently reported in 2007 at the Tana River Delta.
Zosteropidae The white-eyes are a family, Zosteropidae, of small passerine birds native to tropical, subtropical and temperate Sub-Saharan Africa, southern and eastern Asia, and Australasia. White-eyes inhabit most tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, the ...
white-eyes. Probably belong in Timaliidae. * Marianne white-eye, ''Zosterops semiflavus'' (Marianne Island, Seychelles, late 19th century) *
Robust white-eye The robust white-eye (''Zosterops strenuus''), also known as the Lord Howe white-eye or robust silvereye and locally as the "big grinnell", is an extinct species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It was endemic to the lowland forests of Lord H ...
, ''Zosterops strenuus'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1918) * White-chested white-eye, ''Zosterops albogularis'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, between 2006 and 2010)
Pycnonotidae The bulbuls are members of a family (biology), family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized perching bird, passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and in ...
bulbuls *
Rodrigues bulbul The Rodrigues bulbul (''Hypsipetes cowlesi'') is an extinct bird which was endemic to the island of Rodrigues, the easternmost of the Mascarene Islands group of the western Indian Ocean. It is known only from subfossil remains collected in 1974. ...
, ''Hypsipetes cowlesi'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, extinction date unknown, 17th century or 18th century might be possible) *:Known only from subfossil bones.
Sylvioidea Sylvioidea is a superfamily of passerine birds, one of at least three major clades within the Passerida along with the Muscicapoidea and Passeroidea. It contains about 1300 species including the Old World warblers, Old World babblers, swallows ...
''
incertae sedis or is a term used for a taxonomy (biology), taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...
'' * Aldabra brush warbler, ''Nesillas aldabrana'' (Aldabra, Indian Ocean, c. 1984) * Rodrigues "babbler" (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, 17th century?) *:Known only from subfossil bones. Provisionally assigned to Timaliidae, but its placement in this family is highly doubtful. Sturnidaestarlings * Kosrae starling, ''Aplonis corvina'' (Kosrae, Caroline Islands, West Pacific, mid-19th century) * Mauke starling, ''Aplonis mavornata'' (Mauke, Cook Islands, mid-19th century) *
Tasman starling The Tasman starling (''Aplonis fusca'') was described in 1836 by John Gould as a species which occurred on both Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. In 1928 Australian ornithologist Gregory Macalister Mathews, Gregory Mathews recognized that the ...
, ''Aplonis fusca'' (Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1923) *:Two subspecies, the nominate subspecies ''A. f. fusca''
Norfolk starling The Tasman starling (''Aplonis fusca'') was described in 1836 by John Gould as a species which occurred on both Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. In 1928 Australian ornithologist Gregory Mathews recognized that the plumage of the race from Lor ...
(extinct c. 1923) and ''A. fusca hulliana''
Lord Howe starling The Tasman starling (''Aplonis fusca'') was described in 1836 by John Gould as a species which occurred on both Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. In 1928 Australian ornithologist Gregory Mathews recognized that the plumage of the race from Lor ...
(extinct c. 1919). *
Pohnpei starling The Pohnpei starling (''Aplonis pelzelni''), also known as Pohnpei mountain starling or Ponape mountain starling, is an extremely rare or possibly extinct bird from the family of starlings ( Sturnidae). It is (or was) endemic to the island of Poh ...
, ''Aplonis pelzelni'' (Pohnpei, Micronesia, c. 2000) *:Only one reliable record since 1956, in 1995, leaves the species' survival seriously in doubt. *
Raiatea starling The Raiatea starling, formerly known as the bay thrush, bay starling, or the mysterious bird of Ulieta, is an extinct bird species of uncertain taxonomic relationships that once lived on the island of Raiatea (formerly known as Ulietea, hence th ...
, ''Aplonis''? ''ulietensis'' (Raiatea, Society Islands, South Pacific, between 1774 and 1850) *:Formerly called the 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 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme of classes (a taxonomy) and the allocation ...
position is thus unresolvable at present although, for
biogeographic Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities often vary in a regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, ...
reasons and because of the surviving description, it has been suggested to have been a
honeyeater The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, miners and melidectes. They are most common in Australia and New Gui ...
. However, with the discovery of fossils of the prehistorically extinct
Huahine starling The Huahine starling (''Aplonis diluvialis'') is an extinct bird from the genus ''Aplonis'' within the starling family, Sturnidae. It was endemic to the island of Huahine, in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and therefore had the easternm ...
(''Aplonis diluvialis'') on neighboring
Huahine Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands (Society Islands), Leeward Islands group ''(Îles sous le V ...
, it seems likely that this bird also belonged to this genus. * Hoopoe starling, ''Fregilupus varius'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, 1850s) *:Tentatively assigned to Sturnidae. *
Rodrigues starling The Rodrigues starling (''Necropsar rodericanus'') is an extinct species of starling that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues. Its closest relatives were the Mauritius starling and the hoopoe starling from nearby islands; all thr ...
, ''Necropsar rodericanus'' (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century?) *:Tentatively assigned to Sturnidae. The bird that was variously described as ''Necropsar leguati'' or ''Orphanopsar leguati'' and was considered to be identical with ''N. rodericanus'' (which itself is known only from subfossil bones) was found to be based on a misidentified
albino Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and reddish pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albinos. Varied use and interpretation of ...
specimen of the grey trembler (''Cinclocerthia gutturalis'').
Turdidae The thrushes are a passerine bird family, Turdidae, with a worldwide distribution. The family was once much larger before biologists reclassified the former subfamily Saxicolinae, which includes the chats and European robins, as Old World flyca ...
thrushes and allies * Grand Cayman thrush, ''Turdus ravidus'' (Grand Cayman, West Indies, late 1940s) * Bonin thrush, ''Zoothera terrestris'' (Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, c. 1830s) * Kāmao, ''Myadestes myadestinus'' (Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, 1990s) * Olomao, ''Myadestes lanaiensis'' (Hawaiian Islands, 1980s?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
because a possible location on Molokai remains unsurveyed. Three subspecies are known from Oahu ('' M. l. woahensis'', extinct 1850s), Lanai (the nominate subspecies ''M. l. lanaiensis'', extinct early 1930s) and Molokai (''M. l. rutha'', extinct 1980s?) and there may be a possible fourth subspecies from Maui (extinct before the late 19th century). Mimidaemockingbirds and thrashers * Cozumel thrasher, ''Toxostoma guttatum'' (Cozumel, West Indies, early in the first decade of the 21st century?) *:It is still unknown whether the tiny population rediscovered in 2004 survived Hurricanes
Emily Emily may refer to: * Emily (given name), including a list of people with the name Music * "Emily" (1964 song), title song by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer to the film ''The Americanization of Emily'' * "Emily" (Dave Koz song), a 1990 song ...
and Wilma in 2005. There have also been unconfirmed records in April 2006 and October and December 2007.
Estrildidae Estrildidae, or estrildid finches, is a family of small seed-eating passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They comprise species commonly known as munias, mannikins, firefinches, parrotfinches and waxbills. They are gregarious ...
estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc.) * Black-lored waxbill, ''Estrilda nigriloris'' (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa, late 20th century?) *:An enigmatic species not seen since 1950; because part of its habitat is in
Upemba National Park Upemba National Park ( French: ''Parc national d'Upemba'') is a large national park in Haut-Lomami, Lualaba Province & Haut-Katanga Province (formerly in Katanga Province) of the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Geogr ...
, it may still exist.
Icteridae Icterids () or New World blackbirds make up a family, the Icteridae (), of small to medium-sized, often colorful, New World passerine birds. The family contains 108 species and is divided into 30 genera. Most species have black as a predominant ...
New World blackbirds and allies *
Slender-billed grackle The slender-billed grackle (''Quiscalus palustris'') is an extinct species of grackle in the Icteridae (New World blackbirds) family of birds. The species was closely related to the western clade of the great-tailed grackle, from which it diverge ...
, ''Quiscalus palustris'' (Mexico, 1910)
Parulidae The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds that make up the family Parulidae and are restricted to the New World. The family contains 120 species. They are not closely related to Old World warb ...
New World warblers *
Bachman's warbler Bachman's warbler (''Vermivora bachmanii'') is a possibly Extinction, extinct passerine migratory bird. This New World warbler, warbler was a bird migration, migrant, breeding in swampy blackberry and Canebrake, cane thickets of the Southeastern ...
, ''Vermivora bachmanii'' (southern United States, c. 1990?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. * Semper's warbler, ''Leucopeza semperi'' (St. Lucia, West Indies, 1970s?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. Suitable habitat remains and there have been unconfirmed records within the last 10 years.
Ploceidae Ploceidae is a family of small passerine birds, many of which are called weavers, weaverbirds, weaver finches, or bishops. These names come from the nests of intricately woven vegetation created by birds in this family. In most recent classificat ...
weavers * Réunion fody, ''Foudia delloni'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1672) *:Formerly ''Foudia bruante''; the latter scientific name may actually be a color morph of the red fody (''Foudia madagascariensis'').
Cardinalidae Cardinalidae (sometimes referred to as "cardinal-grosbeaks" or simply "cardinals") is a family of New World-Endemism, endemic passerine birds that consists of Cardinalis, cardinals, grosbeaks, and Passerina, buntings. It also includes several ot ...
cardinals * Townsend's dickcissel, ''Spiza townsendi'' *Either a hybrid, an extinct species or a variant of the
dickcissel The dickcissel (''Spiza americana'') is a small seed-eating migratory bird in the family Cardinalidae. It breeds on the prairie grasslands of the Midwestern United States and winters in Central America, northern Colombia, and northern Venezue ...
.
Fringillidae The true finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. Finches generally have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where the ...
true finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers * Bonin grosbeak, ''Carpodacus ferreorostris'' (Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands, 1830s) * Ōū, ''Psittirostra psittacea'' (Hawaiian Islands, c. 2000?) * Kona grosbeak, ''Chloridops kona'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1894) * Lanai hookbill, ''Dysmorodrepanis munroi'' (Lanai, Hawaiian Islands, 1918) * Kauai palila, ''Loxioides kikuichi'' (Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, early 18th century?) *
Lesser koa finch The lesser koa finch (''Rhodacanthis flaviceps'') is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper in the subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae. It was endemic to the island of Hawaiʻi. Description The only specimens of the lesser k ...
, ''Rhodacanthus flaviceps'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1891) *
Greater koa finch The greater koa finch (''Rhodacanthis palmeri'') is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper in the subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae. It was endemic to the island of Hawaiʻi. Description The bird was about 7–8 in (18– ...
, ''Rhodacanthus palmeri'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1896) * Greater amakihi, ''Viradonia sagittirostris'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1901) * Maui nukupuu, ''Hemignathus affinis'' (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 1990s) * Kauai nukupuu, ''Hemignathus hanapepe'' (Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, late 1990s) * Oahu nukupuu, ''Hemignathus lucidus'' (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, late 19th century) * Hawaii akialoa or lesser akialoa, ''Akialoa obscurus'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1940) * Maui Nui akialoa, ''Akialoa lanaiensis'' (Lanai and, prehistorically, probably Maui and Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, 1892) * Oahu akialoa, ''Akialoa ellisiana'' (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, early 20th century) * Kauai akialoa, ''Akialoa stejnegeri'' (Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, 1969) * Kākāwahie, ''Paroreomyza flammea'' (Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, 1963) * Oahu alauahio, ''Paroreomyza maculata'' (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, early 1990s?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. The last reliable record of this bird was in 1985, with an unconfirmed sighting in 1990. *
Maui akepa Maui (; Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of Maui County's five islands, along with Molokai, Lānai, Kah ...
, ''Loxops ochraceus'' (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 1988) * Oahu akepa, ''Loxops wolstenholmei'' (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, 1900s) * Ula-ai-hawane, ''Ciridops anna'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, either 1892 or 1937) * Black mamo, ''Drepanis funerea'' (Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, 1907) *
Hawaii mamo The Hawaii mamo (''Drepanis pacifica'') is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper. It was endemic to Hawaii Island. It became extinct due to habitat loss, mosquitoes, introduced predators such as the small Indian mongoose, and overcollecti ...
, ''Drepanis pacifica'' (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1898) *
Laysan honeycreeper The Laysan honeycreeper (''Himatione fraithii''), also known as the Laysan apapane or Laysan honeyeater, is an extinct species of finch that was Endemism, endemic to the island of Laysan in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The bird was first ...
, ''Himatione fraithii'' (Laysan, Hawaiian Islands, 1923) * Poouli, ''Melamprosops phaeosoma'' (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 2004)
Emberizidae The buntings are a group of Old World passerine birds forming the genus ''Emberiza'', the only genus in the family Emberizidae. The family contains 44 species. They are seed-eating birds with stubby, conical bills. Taxonomy The family Emberizid ...
buntings and New World sparrows * Hooded seedeater, ''Sporophila melanops'' (Brazil, 20th century?) *:Officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. It is known only from a single male collected in 1823 and has variously been considered either an aberrant specimen of the yellow-bellied seedeater (''Sporophila nigricollis'') or a hybrid. *
Bermuda towhee The Bermuda towhee (''Pipilo naufragus'') is an extinct bird of the towhee genus ''Pipilo'' that was endemic to Bermuda. Taxonomy It was a large member of the genus and closely related to the eastern towhee. The scientific description was in 2 ...
, ''Pipilo naufragus'' (Bermuda, West Atlantic, 17th century?) *:Known from subfossil bones and possibly from a travel report by
William Strachey William Strachey (4 April 1572 – buried 16 August 1621) was an English writer whose works are among the primary sources for the early history of the English colonisation of North America. He is best remembered today as the eye-witness reporter ...
in 1610.


Possibly extinct bird subspecies or status unknown

The extinction of
subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
is a subject that is very dependent on guesswork. National and international conservation projects and research publications such as
red list The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological sp ...
s usually focus on species as a whole. Reliable information on the status of vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered subspecies usually has to be assembled piecemeal from published observations, such as regional checklists. Therefore, the following listing contains a high proportion of bird taxa that may still exist, but are listed here due to any one of, or any combination of, these three factors: absence of recent records, a known threat such as habitat destruction, or an observed decline.


Struthioniformes Struthioniformes is an order of birds with only a single extant family, Struthionidae, containing the ostriches. Several other extinct families are known, spanning across the Northern Hemisphere, from the Early Eocene to the early Pliocene, incl ...

Ratites Ratites () are a polyphyletic group consisting of all birds within the infraclass Palaeognathae that lack keel (bird anatomy), keels and flightless bird, cannot fly. They are mostly large, long-necked, and long-legged, the exception being the Kiw ...
and related birds *
Struthio Ostriches are large flightless birds. Two living species are recognised, the common ostrich, native to large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and the Somali ostrich, native to the Horn of Africa. They are the heaviest and largest living birds, w ...
ostriches **
Arabian ostrich The Arabian ostrich (''Struthio camelus syriacus''), Syrian ostrich, or Middle Eastern ostrich is an extinct subspecies of the ostrich that lived on the Arabian Peninsula and in the Near East until the mid-20th century. Distribution The Arabia ...
, ''Struthio camelus syriacus'' (Arabia, 1966) *:The last record of this subspecies of the
common ostrich The common ostrich (''Struthio camelus''), or simply ostrich, is a species of flightless bird native to certain areas of Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus ''Struthio'' in the ratite group ...
was a bird found dead in Jordan in 1966.


Apterygiformes Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand of the order Apterygiformes. The five extant species fall into the family Apterygidae and genus ''Apteryx''. Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are the smallest ratites (which a ...

* North Island little spotted kiwi, ''Apteryx owenii iredalei'' (North Island, New Zealand, late 19th century) *:A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the
little spotted kiwi The little spotted kiwi or little grey kiwi (''Apteryx owenii'') is a small flightless bird in the kiwi family, Apterygidae. It is the smallest of the five kiwi species, at about , about the size of a bantam. It is endemic to New Zealand, and ...
.


Casuariiformes The Casuariiformes is an order of large flightless birds that has four surviving members: the three species of cassowary, and the only remaining species of emu. They are divided into either a single family, Casuariidae, or occasionally two, wit ...

*
Dromaius ''Dromaius'' (from greek language, greek δρομαίυς "runner") is a genus of ratite present in Australia. There is one extant species, ''Dromaius novaehollandiae,'' commonly known as the emu. In his original 1816 description of the emu, Lou ...
emu **
King Island emu The King Island emu (''Dromaius novaehollandiae minor'') is an extinct subspecies of emu that was endemic to King Island, Tasmania, King Island, in the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Its closest relative may be the also ex ...
, ''Dromaius novaehollandiae minor'' (King Island, Australia, 1822) **:An island dwarf subspecies of the
emu The emu (; ''Dromaius novaehollandiae'') is a species of flightless bird endemism, endemic to Australia, where it is the Tallest extant birds, tallest native bird. It is the only extant taxon, extant member of the genus ''Dromaius'' and the ...
; extinct in the wild c. 1805, the last captive specimen died in 1822 in the
Jardin des Plantes The Jardin des Plantes (, ), also known as the Jardin des Plantes de Paris () when distinguished from other ''jardins des plantes'' in other cities, is the main botanical garden in France. Jardin des Plantes is the official name in the present da ...
. **
Kangaroo Island emu The Kangaroo Island emu or dwarf emu (''Dromaius novaehollandiae baudinianus'') is an extinct subspecies of emu. It was restricted to Kangaroo Island, South Australia, which was known as ''Ile Decrés'' by the members of the Baudin expedition. I ...
, ''Dromaius novaehollandiae baudinianus'' (Kangaroo Island, Australia, 1827) **:Another island dwarf subspecies of the emu; extinct since c. 1827. **
Tasmanian emu The Tasmanian emu (''Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis'') is an extinct subspecies of emu. It was found in Tasmania, where it had become isolated during the Late Pleistocene. As opposed to the other insular emu taxa, the King Island emu and th ...
, ''Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis'' (Tasmania, Australia, mid-19th century) **:Yet another island dwarf subspecies of the emu; the last wild bird was collected in 1845, but it may have survived in captivity until 1884. It may be invalid.


Anseriformes Anseriformes is an order (biology), order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae (three species of screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, the largest f ...

Duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family (biology), family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and goose, geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfam ...
s,
geese A goose (: geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera '' Anser'' (grey geese and white geese) and ''Branta'' (black geese). Some members of the Tadorninae subfamily (e.g., Egyp ...
and
swan Swans are birds of the genus ''Cygnus'' within the family Anatidae. The swans' closest relatives include the goose, geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe (biology) ...
s * Bering cackling goose, ''Branta hutchinsii asiatica'' (Commander and Kuril Islands, N Pacific, c. 1914 or 1929) *:A formerly recognised subspecies of the
cackling goose The cackling goose (''Branta hutchinsii'') is a species of goose found in North America and East Asia. Systematics The genus name ''Branta'' is a Latinised form of Old Norse ''Brandgás'', "burnt (black) goose", and the specific epithet ''hutchi ...
(formerly called the Bering
Canada goose The Canada goose (''Branta canadensis''), sometimes called Canadian goose, is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North A ...
(''Branta canadensis asiatica'')) which was not distinct from the similar-looking and still-existing
Aleutian cackling goose The Aleutian cackling goose (''Branta hutchinsii leucopareia'') is a small subspecies of the cackling goose averaging in weight. It was one of 122 species of animals, birds, and fishes first documented for science by the Lewis and Clark Expedit ...
(''B. h. leucopareia'') and is now considered to be invalid. * Rennell Island teal, ''Anas gibberifrons remissa'' (Rennell Island, Solomon Islands, c. 1959) *:A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the Sunda teal which disappeared due to predation on ducklings by introduced
Mozambique tilapia The Mozambique tilapia (''Oreochromis mossambicus'') is an oreochromine cichlid fish native to southeastern Africa. Dull colored, the Mozambique tilapia often lives up to a decade in its native habitats. It is a popular fish for aquaculture. Due ...
(''Oreochromis mossambicus''). * Niceforo's yellow-billed pintail, ''Anas georgica niceforoi'' (Colombia, 1950s) *:A subspecies of the yellow-billed pintail that has not been recorded since the 1950s. * Borrero's cinnamon teal, ''Anas cyanoptera borreroi'' (Colombia, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
cinnamon teal The cinnamon teal (''Spatula cyanoptera'') is a species of duck found in western North and South America. It is a small dabbling duck, with bright reddish plumage on the male and duller brown plumage on the female. It lives in marshes and ponds, ...
known only from a restricted area in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia, with a couple of records from Ecuador. It was discovered in 1946 and thought to have become extinct by 1956. * Coues's gadwall, ''Mareca strepera couesi'' (Teraina, Kiribati, c. 1900) *:This island subspecies of the
gadwall The gadwall (''Mareca strepera'') is a common and widespread dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. Taxonomy The gadwall was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. DNA studies have shown th ...
was discovered and named in 1874 after two birds were shot and has not been recorded since, with none found by a 1924 expedition from Honolulu's Bishop Museum.


Galliformes Galliformes is an order (biology), order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkey (bird), turkeys, chickens, Old World quail, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems ...

Quail Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally placed in the order Galliformes. The collective noun for a group of quail is a flock, covey, or bevy. Old World quail are placed in the family Phasianidae, and New ...
s and relatives * Lake Amik black francolin, ''Francolinus francolinus billypayni'' (southern Turkey, possibly Lebanon, 1960s) *:A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the
black francolin The black francolin (''Francolinus francolinus'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It was formerly known as the black partridge. It is the state bird of Haryana state, India (locally known as ''kaala teet ...
. * Sicilian black francolin, ''Francolinus francolinus'' ssp. (Sicily, Mediterranean, c. 1869) *:Another doubtfully distinct subspecies of the black francolin. *
Heath hen The heath hen (''Tympanuchus cupido cupido'') is an extinct subspecies of the greater prairie-chicken (''Tympanuchus cupido''), a large North American bird in the grouse family. It became extinct in 1932. Heath hens lived in the scrubby heathla ...
, ''Tympanuchus cupido cupido'', (New England, North America, 1932) *:A subspecies of the
greater prairie-chicken The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (''Tympanuchus cupido''), sometimes called a boomer,Friederici, Peter (July 20, 1989)"The Last Prairie Chickens" ''Chicago Reader''. Retrieved August 27, 2014.(Chinese 中文:帕艺明彩大凤 ...
or possibly a distinct species. * New Mexico sharp-tailed grouse, ''Tympanuchus phasianellus hueyi'' (New Mexico, North America, 1950s) *:A subspecies of the
sharp-tailed grouse The sharp-tailed grouse (''Tympanuchus phasianellus''), also known as the sharptail or fire grouse, is a medium-sized prairie grouse. One of three species in the genus ''Tympanuchus'', the sharp-tailed grouse is found throughout Alaska, much of N ...
last recorded in Colfax County in 1952. * Moroccan helmeted guineafowl, ''Numida meleagris sabyi'' (Morocco, mid- to late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
helmeted guineafowl The helmeted guinea fowl (''Numida meleagris'') is the best known of the guinea fowl bird family, Numididae, and the only member of the genus ''Numida''. It is native to Africa, mainly south of the Sahara, and has been widely introduced, as ...
. Reportedly still kept in captivity in Morocco in the late 1990s. Possibly extinct in the wild by 1950; three records from the 1970s may refer to feral-domestic hybrids.


Charadriiformes Charadriiformes (, from '' Charadrius'', the type genus of family Charadriidae) is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 390 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most charadriiform birds live near water ...

Shorebird 245px, A flock of Red_knot.html" ;"title="Dunlins and Red knot">Dunlins and Red knots Waders or shorebirds are birds of the order Charadriiformes commonly found wikt:wade#Etymology 1, wading along shorelines and mudflats in order to foraging, ...
s,
gull Gulls, or colloquially seagulls, are seabirds of the subfamily Larinae. They are most closely related to terns and skimmers, distantly related to auks, and even more distantly related to waders. Until the 21st century, most gulls were placed ...
s and
auk Auks or alcids are birds of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes. The alcid family includes the Uria, murres, guillemots, Aethia, auklets, puffins, and Brachyramphus, murrelets. The family contains 25 extant or recently extinct speci ...
s
Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large family of shorebirds, or waders, which mainly includes many species known as sandpipers, but also others such as woodcocks, curlews and snipes. Most of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil ...
sandpipers * Kiritimati sandpiper, ''Prosobonia cancellata cancellata'' (Kiritimati, Kirabati, 19th century?) *:The doubtfully distinct nominate subspecies of the
Tuamotu sandpiper The Tuamotu sandpiper (''Prosobonia parvirostris'') is an endangered member of the large wader family Scolopacidae, that is endemic to the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus ''Aechmorhynchus''. A na ...
; sometimes considered a distinct species, but known only from a painting.
Turnicidae Buttonquail or hemipodes are members of a small family of birds, Turnicidae, which resemble, but are not closely related to, the quails of Phasianidae. They inhabit warm grasslands in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. There are 18 species in ...
buttonquails * Tawitawi common buttonquail, ''Turnix sylvaticus suluensis'' (Tawitawi,
Sulu Archipelago The Sulu Archipelago ( Tausug: Kapū'-pūan sin Sūg Sulat Sūg: , ) is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, in the southwestern Philippines. The archipelago forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea and southern limit of the Sulu Se ...
, Philippines, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
common buttonquail The common buttonquail (''Turnix sylvaticus''), also called Kurrichane buttonquail and Andalusian hemipode, is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds that resemble but are not closely related to the true quails. Taxonomy The common button ...
; it has not been recorded since the 1950s, but there have been few surveys and it may still exist.


Gruiformes The Gruiformes ( ) are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and terrestrial bird families that ...

Rail Rail or rails may refer to: Rail transport *Rail transport and related matters *Railway track or railway lines, the running surface of a railway Arts and media Film * ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini * ''Rail'' (1967 fil ...
s and alliesprobably
paraphyletic Paraphyly is a taxonomic term describing a grouping that consists of the grouping's last common ancestor and some but not all of its descendant lineages. The grouping is said to be paraphyletic ''with respect to'' the excluded subgroups. In co ...
* Goldman's yellow rail, ''Coturnicops noveboracensis goldmani'' (Mexico, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the yellow rail that has not been recorded since 1964 and has lost much of its wetland habitat since then. * Macquarie rail, ''Hypotaenidia philippensis macquariensis'' (Macquarie Islands, Southwest Pacific, 1880s) *:A subspecies of the
buff-banded rail The buff-banded rail (''Hypotaenidia philippensis'') is a distinctively coloured, highly dispersive, medium-sized rail of the rail family, Rallidae. This species comprises several subspecies found throughout much of Australasia and the south-we ...
. * Raoul Island banded rail, ''Hypotaenidia philippensis'' ssp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, Southwest Pacific, late 19th century?) *:Reports of the former occurrence of the species on Raoul seem to be plausible enough, but they may refer to vagrant individuals of another subspecies of the buff-banded rail. * 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 exist. * Western Lewin's rail, ''Lewinia pectoralis clelandi'' (southwestern Australia, late 1930s?) *:A subspecies of
Lewin's rail Lewin's rail (''Lewinia pectoralis'') is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is also known as the water rail, Lewin's water rail, Lewin's grind rail, slate-breasted rail, slate-breasted water rail, pectoral rail, pectoral water rail, sho ...
not recorded since 1932 despite multiple surveys in the late 20th century. * Assumption white-throated rail, ''Dryolimnas cuvieri abbotti'' (Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo, Aldabra, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the
white-throated rail The white-throated rail (''Dryolimnas cuvieri'') or Cuvier's rail, is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. Distribution It is found in the Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Seychelles. Taxonomy The nominate subspecies is found in Madaga ...
. * Jamaican wood rail, ''Amaurolimnas concolor concolor'' (Jamaica, West Indies, late 19th century) *:The nominate subspecies of the uniform crake declined rapidly and became extinct following the introduction of the
small Indian mongoose The small Indian mongoose (''Urva auropunctata'') is a mongoose species native to Iraq and northern India; it has also been introduced to several Caribbean and Pacific islands. Taxonomy ''Mangusta auropunctata'' was the scientific name proposed ...
(''Urva auropunctata'') to Jamaica in 1872. * Intact rail, ''Gymnocrex plumbeiventris intactus'' (Melanesia, 20th century?) *:A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the
bare-eyed rail The bare-eyed rail (''Gymnocrex plumbeiventris'') is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist ...
known from a single specimen, c. mid-19th century, either from the Solomon Islands or New Ireland. It may still exist. * Bornean Baillon's crake, ''Zapornia pusilla mira'' (Borneo, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of
Baillon's crake Baillon's crake (''Zapornia pusilla''), also known as the marsh crake, is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Distribution Their breeding habitat is sedge beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and across the Palearctic. They used to breed in ...
known from a single 1912 specimen and not found since; it may be extinct, but the species is hard to find. * Moroccan bustard, ''Ardeotis arabs lynesi'' (Morocco, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
Arabian bustard The Arabian bustard (''Ardeotis arabs'') is a species of Otididae, bustard which is found across the Sahel region of Africa and south western Arabian Peninsula, Arabia. It is part of the large-bodied genus, ''Ardeotis'', and, though little known ...
. Last observed in 1993 at Lac Merzouga / Lac Tamezguidat. * Luzon sarus crane, ''Antigone antigone luzonica'' (Luzon, Philippines, late 1960s) *:A subspecies of the
sarus crane The sarus crane (''Antigone antigone'') is a large nonmigratory Crane (bird), crane found in parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to , they are a c ...
which is not always accepted as valid by all authorities, possibly because the existing specimens have not been thoroughly studied since it was first described.


Pelecaniformes The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally (but erroneously) defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such ...

Heron Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus ''Botaurus'' are referred to as bi ...
s and related birdspossibly
paraphyletic Paraphyly is a taxonomic term describing a grouping that consists of the grouping's last common ancestor and some but not all of its descendant lineages. The grouping is said to be paraphyletic ''with respect to'' the excluded subgroups. In co ...
*
Ardeidae Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus '' Botaurus'' are referred to as ...
herons, egrets, and bitterns ** Bonin nankeen night heron, ''Nycticorax caledonicus crassirostris'' (Nakoudo-jima and
Chichi-jima is the largest and most populous island in the Japanese archipelago of Bonin or Ogasawara Islands. Chichijima is about north of Iwo Jima. in size, the island is home to about 2,120 people (2021). Connected to the mainland only by a day-lon ...
, Ogasawara Islands, c. 1890) **:A subspecies of the
nankeen night heron The nankeen night heron (''Nycticorax caledonicus'') is a heron that belongs to the genus '' Nycticorax'' and the family Ardeidae. Due to its distinctive reddish-brown colour, it is also commonly referred to as the rufous night heron. It is prim ...
.


Columbiformes Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with small heads, relatively short necks and slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. ...

Pigeon Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with small heads, relatively short necks and slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. ...
s, doves and
dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinction, extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightles ...
s * Madeiran wood pigeon, ''Columba palumbus maderensis'' (Madeira, East Atlantic, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the common wood pigeon. * Lord Howe pigeon, ''Columba vitiensis godmanae'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, 1853) *:This subspecies of the metallic pigeon was last recorded in 1853 and almost certainly became extinct by 1869. * Tongan metallic pigeon, ''Columba vitiensis'' ssp. (Vavau, Tonga, late 18th century?) *:This subspecies of the metallic pigeon is only known from a footnote in John Latham's ''General History of Birds'' and seems to have become extinct some time before 1800; possibly, however, the location is erroneous and the footnote really refers to the still-existing population on Fiji. *
Réunion pink pigeon The Réunion pink pigeon (''Nesoenas mayeri duboisi'', but see below) is an extinct subspecies of pigeon that formerly lived on the Mascarene island of Réunion. It is known from the description of a rusty-red pigeon given by Dubois in 1674 and ...
, ''Nesoenas mayeri duboisi'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, c. 1700) *:A subspecies of the
pink pigeon The pink pigeon (''Nesoenas mayeri'') is a species of pigeon in the family Columbidae Endemic (ecology), endemic to Mauritius. The pink pigeon nearly became extinct in the 1970s and the 1990s and is still very rare. It is the only Mascarene pigeo ...
, formerly in ''
Streptopelia ''Streptopelia'' (collared doves and turtle doves) is a genus of 15 species of birds in the pigeon and dove family Columbidae native to the Old World in Africa, Europe, and Asia. These are mainly slim, small to medium-sized species. The upperpar ...
''. There seems to have been at least another species of pigeon on Réunion (probably a
blue pigeon The blue pigeons are a genus, ''Alectroenas'', of birds in the dove and pigeon family Columbidae. They are native to islands in the western Indian Ocean. Taxonomy and evolution The genus ''Alectroenas'' was first described in 1840 by the English ...
species), but bones have not yet been found. It became extinct at the same time as this subspecies did. *Amirante turtle dove, ''Nesoenas picturatus aldabrana'' (Amirante Islands, Seychelles, late 20th century) *:This subspecies of the Malagasy turtle dove survived until at least 1974, after which it was hybridised out of existence through crossbreeding with the introduced nominate subspecies (''N. p. picturatus''). * Catanduanes bleeding-heart, ''Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris'' (Catanduanes, Philippines, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
Luzon bleeding-heart The Luzon bleeding-heart, bleeding-heart dove, bleeding-heart pigeon or punay (''Gallicolumba luzonica'') is a species of ground dove in the genus '' Gallicolumba,'' known as "bleeding-hearts" due to their distinctive red patch on its chest. It ...
known from a single specimen collected in 1971. There have been recent reports of this bird and, as much of its forest habitat still remains, it is likely that it may still exist. * Basilan bleeding-heart, ''Gallicolumba crinigera bartletti'' (Basilan, Philippines, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
Mindanao bleeding-heart The Mindanao bleeding-heart (''Gallicolumba crinigera''), also known as Bartlett's bleeding heart dove, Barlett's bleeding heart pigeon and the hair-breasted bleeding heart, is a species of bird in the Columbidae, pigeon family (biology), family. ...
last reported in 1925 and, given the massive habitat destruction, is likely extinct. * Vella Lavella ground dove, ''Pampusana jobiensis chalconota'' (Vella Lavella, Makira and Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
white-breasted ground dove The white-breasted ground dove, white-bibbed ground dove, or purple ground dove (''Pampusana jobiensis'') is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands. Its natural habi ...
or possibly a distinct species. Known from only four specimens; there are no recent records and the natives report that it has disappeared. * White-headed Polynesian ground dove, ''Pampusana erythroptera albicollis'' (Central Tuamotu Islands, 20th century?) *:This subspecies of the
Polynesian ground dove The Polynesian ground dove or Society Islands ground dove (''Pampusana erythroptera'') or ''Tutururu'' is a Critically Endangered, critically endangered species of bird in the family Columbidae. Originally Endemism, endemic to the Society Islands ...
, often referred to as ''P. e. pectoralis'', became extinct at an undetermined date, but it may still exist on some unsurveyed atolls. The identity of the northern Tuamotu population, which may also possibly still exist, is undetermined to date. * Ebon crimson-crowned fruit dove, ''Ptilinopus porphyraceus marshallianus'' (Ebon?, Marshall Islands, late 19th century?) *:A subspecies of the
crimson-crowned fruit dove The crimson-crowned fruit dove, also the Tongan fruit dove or purple-capped fruit dove (''Ptilinopus porphyraceus''), is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in American Samoa, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and W ...
of doubtful validity known from a single specimen collected in 1859; it is not certain whether or not this bird actually did occur on Ebon. All that can be said is that this subspecies is no longer found anywhere. * Mauke lilac-crowned fruit dove, ''Ptilinopus rarotongensis "byronensis"'' (Mauke, Cook Islands, mid- or late 19th century) *:A subspecies of the lilac-crowned fruit dove known only from the description of a now-lost specimen. The prehistorically extinct population on
Mangaia Mangaia (traditionally known as A'ua'u Enua, which means ''terraced'') is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga. It is a roughly circular island, with an area of , from Rarotonga. Originally heavily popul ...
likely belongs to another distinct subspecies also. * Negros spotted imperial pigeon, ''Ducula carola nigrorum'' (Negros and probably Siquijor, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
spotted imperial pigeon The spotted imperial pigeon (''Ducula carola''), also known as the grey-necked imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. This species is Endemism, endemic to the Philippines, Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moi ...
not recorded since the 1950s. * Norfolk pigeon, ''Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae spadicea'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the
kererū The kererū (''Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae''), also known as kūkupa (Māori language#Northern dialects, northern Māori dialects), New Zealand pigeon or wood pigeon, is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin describ ...
or New Zealand pigeon not recorded since 1900. Similar birds were reported from Lord Howe Island; these seem to represent another extinct subspecies, but are undescribed to date. * Raoul Island kererū, ''Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae'' ssp. nov. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, 19th century) *:Another undescribed subspecies of the kererū or New Zealand pigeon or possibly a distinct species; known from bones and a brief report.


Cuculiformes Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...

Cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...
s * Greater crested coua, ''Coua cristata maxima'' (southeastern Madagascar, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
crested coua The crested coua (''Coua cristata'') is a common medium-sized bird member of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, mainly found in the coastal regions of the island. The crested coua is a weak flyer, so it will often be obser ...
, known only from a single specimen taken in 1950. It may be a hybrid but if it is not, it is probably extinct. * Assumption Island coucal, ''Centropus toulou assumptionis'' (Assumption Island, Seychelles, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the
Malagasy coucal The Malagasy coucal or Madagascar coucal (''Centropus toulou'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in Madagascar and in the Seychelles, where it occurs on Aldabra and was formerly present on Assumption Island and Cosm ...
last recorded in 1906. It is sometimes considered synonymous with the Aldabra subspecies (''C. t. insularis'') which has since recolonized Assumption Island. * Cabo San Lucas groove-billed ani, ''Crotophaga sulcirostris pallidula'' (Mexico, c. 1940) *:A weakly differentiated and probably invalid subspecies of the
groove-billed ani The groove-billed ani (''Crotophaga sulcirostris'') is a tropical bird in the cuckoo family with a long tail and a large, curved beak. It is a resident species throughout most of its range, from southern Texas, central Mexico and The Bahamas, thr ...
. * Bahia rufous-vented ground cuckoo, ''Neomorphus geoffroyi maximiliani'' (eastern Brazil, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
rufous-vented ground cuckoo The rufous-vented ground cuckoo (''Neomorphus geoffroyi'') is a Vulnerable species of cuckoo in the tribe Neomorphini of subfamily Crotophaginae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.HBW an ...
.


Strigiformes

True owl The true owls or typical owls (family (biology), family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls and bay owls (Tytonidae). This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct species ...
s and
barn owl The barn owls, owls in the genus '' Tyto'', are the most widely distributed genus of owls in the world. They are medium-sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. The ter ...
s
Strigidae The true owls or typical owls (family (biology), family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls and bay owls (Tytonidae). This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct species ...
true owls * Sulu reddish scops owl, ''Otus rufescens burbidgei'' (Sulu, Philippines, mid-20th century) *:A subspecies of the reddish scops owl only known from a single questionable specimen. It may be invalid. * Virgin Islands owl, ''Gymnasio nudipes newtoni'' (Virgin Islands, West Indies, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the Puerto Rican owl of somewhat doubtful validity, which occurred on several of the Virgin Islands. The last reliable records were in 1860; there were a number of unconfirmed reports during the 20th century, but it was not found in thorough surveys in 1995. * Socorro elf owl, ''Micrathene whitneyi graysoni'' (Socorro, Revillagigedo Islands, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
elf owl The elf owl (''Micrathene whitneyi'') is a small grayish-brown owl about the size of a sparrow found in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula. It has pale yellow eyes highlighted by thin white "eyebrow ...
officially classified as
critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...
. The last specimen was taken in 1932, but there was apparently still a large population in 1958; it was not found in subsequent searches and it appears to have become extinct. * Antiguan burrowing owl, ''Athene cunicularia amaura'' (Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies, c. 1900) *:A subspecies of the
burrowing owl The burrowing owl (''Athene cunicularia''), also called the shoco, is a small, long-legged, primarily terrestrial—though not flightless—species of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America. They are typically found in gra ...
, last collected in 1890 and extinct by 1903. * Guadeloupe burrowing owl, ''Athene cunicularia guadeloupensis'' (Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante, West Indies, c. 1890) *:Another subspecies of the
burrowing owl The burrowing owl (''Athene cunicularia''), also called the shoco, is a small, long-legged, primarily terrestrial—though not flightless—species of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America. They are typically found in gra ...
, extinct by 1890. * Lord Howe boobook, ''Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, 1950s) *:A subspecies of the
Australian boobook The Australian boobook (''Ninox boobook''), is a species of owl native to mainland Australia, southern New Guinea, the island of Timor, and the Sunda Islands. Described by John Latham (ornithologist), John Latham in 1801, it was generally consid ...
last recorded in the 1950s. * Norfolk boobook, ''Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, 1990s) *:Individuals of the nominate subspecies of the Australian boobook were introduced in a last-ditch effort to save the local owl population. There now exists a hybrid population of a few dozen birds; the last certainly distinct individual of ''N. n. undulata'', a female named Miamiti, died in 1996, though individuals descended from her remain.
Tytonidae The bird family Tytonidae, which includes the barn owls ''Tyto'' and the bay owls ''Phodilus'', is one of the two Family (biology), families of owls, the other being the true owls or typical owls, True owl, Strigidae. They are medium to large owl ...
barn owls * Cave-nesting masked owl, ''Tyto novaehollandiae troughtoni'' (Nullarbor Plain, Australia, 1960s) *:Doubtfully distinct from the nominate subspecies of the
Australian masked owl The Australian masked owl (''Tyto novaehollandiae''), also the Australasian masked owl or simply the masked owl, especially in Australia, is a barn owl of Southern New Guinea and the non-desert areas of Australia. Taxonomy Described subspecies ...
, but differed behaviorally. * Buru masked owl, ''Tyto sororcula cayelii'' (Buru, Indonesia, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
Moluccan masked owl The Moluccan masked owl (''Tyto sororcula''), also known as the lesser masked owl, is a species of owl in the barn owl family. It is endemic to the south Moluccas of Indonesia. Some taxonomists consider this species to be conspecific with the Aus ...
last recorded in 1921; the identity of a similar bird found on Seram remains to be determined. It may still exist, as an owl matching this bird's description was encountered in August 2006. * Peleng masked owl, ''Tyto rosenbergii pelengensis'' (Peleng, Banggai Islands, mid-20th century) *:A subspecies of the
Sulawesi masked owl The Sulawesi masked owl (''Tyto rosenbergii'') is a species of owl in the family Tytonidae. It is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Sangihe and Peleng. It is listed by the IUCN as being of least concern. Taxonomy The Sulawesi mas ...
or a distinct species. It may possibly still exist, but the only known specimen was taken in 1938 and there have been no further records since then. * Samar bay owl, ''Phodilus badius riverae'' (Samar, Philippines, mid-20th century) *:A subspecies of the Oriental bay owl or a possibly distinct species. Its taxonomy is doubtful, but the only known specimen was lost in a 1945 bombing raid, so its validity cannot be verified; no population exists on Samar today.


Apodiformes The Apodiformes is an Order (biology), order, or Taxonomy, taxonomic grouping, of Bird, birds which traditionally contained three living Family (biology), families—the Swift (bird), Apodidae (swifts), the Treeswift, Hemiprocnidae (treeswifts), ...

Swift Swift or SWIFT most commonly refers to: * SWIFT, an international organization facilitating transactions between banks ** SWIFT code * Swift (programming language) * Swift (bird), a family of birds It may also refer to: Organizations * SWIF ...
s and
hummingbird Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the Family (biology), biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genus, genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Cen ...
s * Miravalles indigo-capped hummingbird, ''Saucerottia cyanifrons alfaroana'' (Costa Rica, Central America, 20th century?) *:This subspecies of the indigo-capped hummingbird is only known from a specimen collected in Costa Rica in 1895. It is likely to have become extinct since then. * Alejandro Selkirk firecrown, ''Sephanoides fernandensis leyboldi'' (Alejandro Selkirk Island, Juan Fernández Islands, Southeast Pacific, 1908) *:A subspecies of the Juan Fernández firecrown last recorded in 1908. * Luzon Whitehead's swiftlet, ''Aerodramus whiteheadi whiteheadi'' (Luzon, Philippines, 20th century?) *:The nominate subspecies of Whitehead's swiftlet is only known from four specimens collected at
Mount Data Mount Data is a mountain located in the Cordillera Central mountain range rising to a height of in the north of Luzon Island, Philippines. It is about north of Baguio on the borders of the provinces of Benguet and Mountain Province along the ...
in 1895. Because of the lack of further records and massive habitat destruction, it is usually considered extinct. Given the size of the island, though, it may still exist.


Coraciiformes The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colourful birds including the kingfishers, the bee-eaters, the rollers, the motmots, and the todies. They generally have syndactyly, with three forward-pointing toes (and toes 3 & 4 fused at their b ...

Kingfisher Kingfishers are a family, the Alcedinidae, of small to medium-sized, brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species living in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, ...
s and related birds * Sangihe dwarf kingfisher, ''Ceyx fallax sangirensis'' ( Sangihe, Indonesia, 1998?) *:This subspecies of the Sulawesi dwarf kingfisher was last seen in 1997 but not during a thorough survey one year later; it is either close to extinction or already extinct. Sometimes it is said to occur on the Talaud Islands also, but this is erroneous. * Guadalcanal little kingfisher, ''Ceyx pusillus aolae'' (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, ?) *:A subspecies of the
little kingfisher The little kingfisher (''Ceyx pusillus'') is a species of kingfisher in the subfamily Alcedininae. Taxonomy The first formal description of the little kingfisher was by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1836 under the current binom ...
. * Rarotonga kingfisher, ''Todiramphus'' cf. ''tutus'' (Rarotonga, Cook Islands, mid-1980s?) *:There exist reports of locals that kingfishersprobably a subspecies of the chattering kingfisher (''Todiramphus tutus'') which is found on neighboring islands, but possibly vagrants from therewere found until around 1979 and there is a last record from 1984. Presently, no kingfishers are known to exist on Rarotonga. * " Ryukyu kingfisher", "''Todiramphus cinnamominus miyakoensis''" (Miyako-jima, Ryukyu Islands, late 19th century) *:Previously considered as a distinct species, then reclassified as a subspecies of the
Guam kingfisher The Guam kingfisher (''Todiramphus cinnamominus''), called in Chamorro, is a species of kingfisher from the United States Territory of Guam. It is restricted to a captive breeding program following its extinction in the wild due primarily to ...
. Only seen once by scientists in 1887; the specimen taken is somewhat damaged, making identification by anything other than molecular analysis difficult. It is now thought likely that the specimen came from Guam, where the aforementioned species was distributed, rather than Miyako, which would make this subspecies invalid (it was declared invalid by the
International Ornithological Congress International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...
in 2022). * Sakarha pygmy kingfisher, ''Corythornis madagascariensis dilutus'' (southwestern Madagascar, late 20th century?) *:This subspecies of the Madagascar pygmy kingfisher is only known from one specimen taken in 1974 in an area where most of its habitat had already been destroyed. However, there have been records of the species (or an uncertain subspecies) from near the type locality, suggesting it is likely that it may still exist. * Ticao hornbill, ''Penelopides panini ticaensis'' (Ticao, Philippines, 1970s) *:A subspecies of the
Visayan hornbill The Visayan hornbill (''Penelopides panini'') is a hornbill found in tropical moist lowland forests of the Philippines in the Western Visayas region which includes the islands of Panay, Negros and formerly as well as the island of Masbate, and f ...
of somewhat uncertain taxonomic status (it was possibly either a distinct species or a color morph); the last confirmed report was in 1971 and it became extinct shortly thereafter.


Piciformes Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes (), the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives. The Piciformes contain about 71 living genera with a little over 450 species, ...

Woodpecker Woodpeckers are part of the bird family (biology), family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme ...
s and related birds * Grand Bahama West Indian woodpecker, ''Melanerpes superciliaris bahamensis'' (Grand Bahama, Bahamas, 1950s) *:A subspecies of the West Indian woodpecker of somewhat uncertain validity. * Javan buff-rumped woodpecker, ''Meiglyptes tristis tristis'' (Java, Indonesia, c. 1920?) *:The nominate subspecies of the buff-rumped woodpecker became rare during the 19th century due to habitat destruction. The last confirmed record was in 1880, and it is now considered to be at least very rare. * Guadalupe red-shafted flicker, ''Colaptes auratus rufipileus'' (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific, c. 1906) *:A subspecies of the
northern flicker The northern flicker or common flicker (''Colaptes auratus'') is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker specie ...
(formerly considered to be a subspecies of the red-shafted flicker, as ''C. cafer rufipileus''), it was last recorded in 1906 and not found again in both 1911 and 1922. It may be invalid. Recently, vagrant birds of a mainland red-shafted northern flicker subspecies (which one is unknown) have begun recolonizing the island as the habitat improved after the
extirpation Local extinction, also extirpation, is the termination of a species (or other taxon) in a chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere. Local extinctions are contrasted with extinction, global extinctions. Local extinctions ...
of
feral goat The feral goat is the domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') when it has become established in the wild. Feral goats occur in many parts of the world. Species Feral goats consist of many breeds of domestic goats, all of which stem from the wild go ...
s. * Northern white-mantled barbet, ''Capito hypoleucus hypoleucus'' (Colombia, extant) *:The nominate subspecies of the white-mantled barbet has been considered extinct, but has been recorded recently. * Botero white-mantled barbet, ''Capito hypoleucus carrikeri'' (Colombia, extant) *:Another subspecies of the white-mantled barbet, also considered extinct by some sources, but confirmed extant by researchers in Colombia. * Todd's jacamar, ''Brachygalba lugubris phaeonota'' (Brazil, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
brown jacamar The brown jacamar (''Brachygalba lugubris'') is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.Tobias, J., T. Züchner, T.A. de Melo Júnior, a ...
, or possibly a hybrid, a color morph or a distinct species. It may still exist, as it is only known from a remote and seldom-visited area. * Cebu white-bellied woodpecker, ''Dryocopus javensis cebuensis'' (Cebu, Philippines, 20th century) *:A subspecies of the
white-bellied woodpecker The white-bellied woodpecker or great black woodpecker (''Dryocopus javensis'') is a woodpecker species inhabiting evergreen forests in tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is among the largest of the Asiatic woodpeckers and nests ...
only known by three specimens collected before 1900.


Accipitriformes The Accipitriformes (; ) are an order of birds that includes most of the diurnal birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, vultures, and kites, but not falcons. For a long time, the majority view was to include them with the falcons in the Falc ...

Birds of prey Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as (although not the same as) raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively predation, hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and smaller birds). In addition to speed ...
* Cape Verde kite, ''Milvus'' (''milvus'') ''fasciicauda'' (Cape Verde Islands, East Atlantic, 2000) *:Considered either a subspecies of the
red kite The red kite (''Milvus milvus'') is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other Diurnality, diurnal Bird of prey, raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harrier (bird), harriers. The species currently breeds only i ...
, a distinct species, or a hybrid between the
red Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...
and
black kite The black kite (''Milvus migrans'') is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have ...
(''Milvus migrans''), the validity of this taxon has recently been questioned on the basis of molecular analysis; however, hybridization and a confusing molecular phylogeny of red kite populations, coupled with the distinct phenotype of the Cape Verde birds, suggest that the taxonomic status of this form is far from resolved. * Car Nicobar sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter butleri butleri'' (Car Nicobar, Nicobar Islands, 20th century?) *: The nominate subspecies of the
Nicobar sparrowhawk The Nicobar sparrowhawk (''Tachyspiza butleri'') is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. There are two subspecies, the nominate race which is found on Car Nicobar in the north of th ...
a species which is itself currently classified as vulnerableis possibly extinct. It was last reliably recorded in 1901 and, despite searches, has not been sighted after an unconfirmed record in 1977; however, the species is known for being very shy and a population may persist unrecorded.


Falconiformes The order Falconiformes () is represented by the extant family Falconidae, Falconidae (falcons and caracaras) and a handful of enigmatic Paleogene species. Traditionally, the other bird of prey families New World vulture, Cathartidae (New World v ...

Falcons Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies, and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels. Falcons are widely distribu ...
* Volcano Islands peregrine falcon, ''Falco peregrinus furuitii'' (Ogasawara Islands, 1940s) *:A subspecies of the
peregrine falcon The peregrine falcon (''Falco peregrinus''), also known simply as the peregrine, is a Cosmopolitan distribution, cosmopolitan bird of prey (raptor) in the family (biology), family Falconidae renowned for its speed. A large, Corvus (genus), cro ...
from the
Ogasawara Islands The Bonin Islands, also known as the , is a Japanese archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands located around SSE of Tokyo and northwest of Guam. The group as a whole has a total area of but only two of the islands are permanen ...
. No sightings have been reported since 1945. A survey in 1982 failed to record it. Only known from
Iwo Jima is one of the Japanese Volcano Islands, which lie south of the Bonin Islands and together with them make up the Ogasawara Subprefecture, Ogasawara Archipelago. Together with the Izu Islands, they make up Japan's Nanpō Islands. Although sout ...
and Torishima.


Psittaciformes

Parrots Parrots (Psittaciformes), also known as psittacines (), are birds with a strong curved beak, upright stance, and clawed feet. They are classified in four families that contain roughly 410 species in 101 genus (biology), genera, found mostly in ...
* Sangir red-and-blue lory, ''Eos histrio histrio'' (Sangir Archipelago, Indonesia, 1990s?) *:The nominate subspecies of the red-and-blue lory was hybridised out of existence through crossbreeding with escaped captive individuals of its other still-existing subspecies, Challenger's red-and-blue lory (''E. h. challengeri''), with the last certainly distinct individuals disappearing in the 1990s or even much earlier than that. * Réunion parakeet, ''Psittacula eques eques'' (Réunion, Mascarenes, mid-18th century) *:Known only from a painting and descriptions; the nominate subspecies of the
echo parakeet The echo parakeet (''Psittacula eques'') is a species of parrot endemic to the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and formerly Réunion. It is the only living native parrot of the Mascarene Islands; all others have become extinct due to human activit ...
, with the other one being the still-existing Mauritius parakeet (''P. e. echo''). * Siquijor hanging parrot, ''Loriculus philippensis siquijorensis'' (Siquijor, Philippines, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the Philippine hanging parrot or colasisi; it is either very rare or already extinct. * Sinú brown-throated parakeet, ''Eupsittula pertinax griseipecta'' (Colombia, mid- or late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
brown-throated parakeet The brown-throated parakeet (''Eupsittula pertinax''), also known as the St. Thomas conure or brown-throated conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is ...
known from only two specimens collected in 1949 which are of unclear taxonomic and conservation status. * Culebra Island amazon, ''Amazona vittata gracilipes'' (Culebra Island, West Indies, early 20th century) *:A weakly differentiated subspecies of the
Puerto Rican amazon The Puerto Rican amazon (''Amazona vittata''), also known as the Puerto Rican parrot ( Spanish: ''cotorra puertorriqueña'') or ''iguaca'' (Taíno), is the only extant parrot endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico, and belongs to the Neotro ...
, which is itself highly endangered.


Passeriformes A passerine () is any bird of the order Passeriformes (; from Latin 'sparrow' and '-shaped') which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds, passerines generally have an anisodactyl arrangement of their ...

Perching bird A passerine () is any bird of the Order (biology), order Passeriformes (; from Latin 'sparrow' and '-shaped') which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds, passerines generally have an Dactyly#In birds, ...
s Pittidaepittas * Bougainville black-faced pitta, ''Pitta anerythra pallida'' (Bougainville, Solomon Islands, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
black-faced pitta The black-faced pitta (''Pitta anerythra'') is a species of bird in the family Pittidae. It is found on Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea (subspecies ''pallida''), and Choiseul Island (subspecies ''nigrifrons'') as well as Santa Isabel I ...
. Once common on Bougainville; not recorded since 1938, but it is likely to have been overlooked. * Choiseul black-faced pitta, ''Pitta anerythra nigrifrons'' (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, late 20th century?) *:Another subspecies of the black-faced pitta. Not found during recent searches; doubtful records from nearby islands, but it is also likely to have been overlooked.
Tyrannidae The tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) comprise a Family (biology), family of passerine birds which is found virtually throughout North America, North and South America. It is the world's largest family of birds, with more than 400 species, and is ...
tyrant flycatchers * Bogotá bearded tachuri, ''Polystictus pectoralis bogotensis'' (central Colombia, 20th century) *:A subspecies of the
bearded tachuri The bearded tachuri (''Polystictus pectoralis'') is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. T ...
or possibly a distinct species that has not been recorded for some time and is now extinct. * Grenadan Euler's flycatcher, ''Lathrotriccus euleri flaviventris'' (Grenada, West Indies, 1950s?) *:A subspecies of
Euler's flycatcher Euler's flycatcher (''Lathrotriccus euleri'') is a small passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found on Trinidad and in every mainland South American country except Chile.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bona ...
formerly known as ''Empidonax euleri johnstoni''. It has not been recorded since the 1950s. Furnariidaeovenbirds * Peruvian scale-throated earthcreeper, ''Upucerthia dumetaria peruana'' (Peru, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the scale-throated earthcreeper; it is known only from two specimens taken in the early 1950s at Puno, Peru and has not been seen or found since. It may still exist, as there is no obvious reason why it should have become extinct. * Northern stripe-crowned spinetail, ''Cranioleuca pyrrhophia rufipennis'' (northern Bolivia, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the stripe-crowned spinetail known only from a few specimens and not recorded since the 1950s; it may be endangered or possibly extinct.
Formicariidae Formicariidae is a family of smallish suboscine passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America known as antthrushes. They are between in length, and are most closely related to the ovenbirds in the family Furnariidae, an ...
antpittas and antthrushes * Northern giant antpitta, ''Grallaria gigantea lehmanni'' (Colombia, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the giant antpitta (or possibly of the great antpitta, in which case it would be ''G. excelsa lehmanni'') apparently not recorded since the 1940s. It may still exist in
Puracé National Natural Park The Puracé National Natural Park () is a national park located in the Andean region of Colombia, southeast of the city of Popayán in the Cordillera Central range. Its main feature is the active stratovolcano Puracé, one of Colombia's most a ...
, where there is plentiful habitat remaining. * Antioquia brown-banded antpitta, ''Grallaria milleri gilesi'' (Antioquia, Colombia, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the brown-banded antpitta recently described from a specimen collected in 1878. It has not been recorded since, despite surveys at a number of likely locations.
Maluridae The Australasian wrens are a family, Maluridae, of small, insectivorous passerine birds endemic to Australia and New Guinea. While commonly known as wrens, they are unrelated to the true wrens. The family comprises 32 species (including sixteen ...
Australasian "wrens" * MacDonnell Ranges thick-billed grasswren, ''Amytornis modestus modestus'' (Northern Territory, Australia, 1936) *:The nominate subspecies of the
thick-billed grasswren The thick-billed grasswren (''Amytornis modestus'') is a species of bird in the family Maluridae. It is Endemism, endemic to Australia. Its natural habitat is Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. ...
. The last record was a clutch of eggs taken in 1936. * Namoi thick-billed grasswren, ''Amytornis modestus inexpectatus'' (New South Wales, Australia, 1886) *:Another subspecies of the thick-billed grasswren last recorded in 1886. * Large-tailed grasswren, ''Amytornis textilis macrourus'' (Western Australia, 1910) *:A subspecies of the
western grasswren The western grasswren (''Amytornis textilis''), formerly known as the textile wren, is a species of bird in the family Maluridae. It is Endemism, endemic to Australia. It was formerly lumping and splitting, lumped as the nominate subspecies of th ...
last collected in 1910 and extinct since then. Pardalotidaepardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills and gerygones * Western rufous bristlebird, ''Dasyornis broadbenti littoralis'' (Australia, mid-20th century) *:A subspecies of the rufous bristlebird not recorded since 1940 despite a number of surveys since then, beginning in the 1970s. * King Island brown thornbill, ''Acanthiza pusilla archibaldi'' (King Island, Australia, likely extant) *:A subspecies of the
brown thornbill The brown thornbill (''Acanthiza pusilla'') is a passerine bird usually found in eastern and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It can grow up to long, and feeds on insects. It is brown, grey and white. The species has five subspeci ...
which has only been recorded about 10 times since its discovery and is considered extinct by some authorities. The latest record comes from 2002, suggesting a population is likely to still exist, but it is very rare.
Petroicidae The bird family Petroicidae includes 51 species in 19 genera. All are endemic to Australasia: New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and numerous Pacific Islands as far east as Samoa. For want of an accurate common name, the family is often called th ...
Australasian "robins" * Tiwi Island hooded robin, ''Melanodryas cucullata melvillensis'' (Tiwi Islands, Australia, 1992) *:A subspecies of the
hooded robin The hooded robin (''Melanodryas cucullata'') is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic; the male bears a distinctive black-and-white plumage, while the female i ...
last observed in 1992 and not found in exhaustive searches later in the 1990s.
Cinclosomatidae Cinclosomatidae is a family (biology), family of passerine birds native to Australia and New Guinea. It has a complicated taxonomic history and different authors vary in which birds they include in the family. It includes the quail-thrushes and j ...
whipbirds and allies * Mount Lofty spotted quail-thrush, ''Cinclosoma punctatum anachoreta'' (Australia, mid-1980s?) *:A subspecies of the spotted quail-thrush last recorded in 1983 and not found in a survey the following year.
Artamidae Artamidae is a family of passerine birds found in Australia, the Indo-Pacific region, and Southern Asia. It includes 24 extant species in six genera and three subfamilies: Peltopsinae (with one genus, '' Peltops''), Artaminae (with one genus con ...
woodswallows, currawongs and allies * Western pied currawong, ''Strepera graculina ashbyi'' (Victoria, Australia, 1927) *:This subspecies of the pied currawong has been hybridised out of existence by crossbreeding with other subspecies, which probably came into contact with it following habitat destruction in the 1830s. The last certainly distinct individuals were recorded in 1927.
Monarchidae The monarchs or monarch flycatchers (family Monarchidae) comprise a family of over 100 passerine birds which includes shrikebills, paradise flycatchers, and Grallina, magpie-larks. Monarchids are small insectivore, insectivorous songbirds with l ...
monarch flycatchers * Negros celestial monarch, ''Hypothymis coelestis rabori'' (Negros and possibly Sibuyan, Philippines, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the
celestial monarch The celestial monarch (''Hypothymis coelestis'') is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae, and one of the most attractive of all the monarch flycatchers. It is identified as a turquoise blue bird with a long and spectacular cerulean blue c ...
; not uncommon on Negros in 1959, but not recorded since then. A single Sibuyan specimen from an unspecified locality taken in the 19th century is the only record for this island. * Hiva Oa monarch, ''Pomarea mendozae mendozae'' (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas, late 20th century) *:The nominate subspecies of the Marquesas monarch which was very rare by 1974 and not found during multiple surveys in the 1990s.
Rhipiduridae The family Rhipiduridae are small insectivorous birds of Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent that includes the fantails and silktails. Taxonomy and systematics The family contains 55 species which are divided into four genera ...
fantails * Lord Howe fantail, ''Rhipidura fuliginosa cervina'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1924) *:A subspecies of the
New Zealand fantail The New Zealand fantail (''Rhipidura fuliginosa'') is a small insectivorous bird, the only species of fantail in New Zealand. It has four subspecies: ''R. f. fuliginosa'' in the South Island, ''R. f. placabilis'' in the North Island, ''R. f. p ...
that was considered virtually extinct in 1924 and not found by surveys four years later. * Guam rufous fantail, ''Rhipidura versicolor uraniae'' (Guam and Marianas, West Pacific, 1984) *:A subspecies of the Micronesian rufous fantail; a conspicuous bird which has not been recorded since 1984. Campephagidaecuckooshrikes and trillers * Cebu bar-bellied cuckooshrike, ''Coracina striata cebuensis'' (Cebu, Philippines, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the bar-bellied cuckooshrike not recorded since its collection in 1906. * Maros cicadabird, ''Edolisoma tenuirostre edithae'' (Sulawesi, mid-20th century) *:A subspecies of the common cicadabird known from a single specimen collected in 1931; quite possibly just a vagrant individual. * Cebu blackish cuckooshrike, ''Edolisoma coerulescens altera'' (Cebu, Philippines, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the blackish cuckooshrike; it may still exist, as this bird is rather unmistakable, and a 1999 record is therefore likely to be valid, though surveys since then have failed to record it. * Marinduque blackish cuckooshrike, ''Edolisoma coerulescens deschauenseei'' (Marinduque, Philippines, late 20th century?) *:Another subspecies of the blackish cuckooshrike; described from specimens collected in 1971, but apparently not seen since then. As few ornithologists have visited Marinduque and forest remains on the island, it is likely that it may still exist. * Norfolk triller, Norfolk long-tailed triller, ''Lalage leucopyga leucopyga'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, 1942) *:The nominate subspecies of the long-tailed triller or possibly a distinct species. OriolidaeOld World orioles and allies * Cebu dark-throated oriole, ''Oriolus xanthonotus assimilis'' (Cebu, Philippines, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the dark-throated oriole not confirmed since 1906, though there were unconfirmed reports c. 2001, suggesting a possibility that it may still exist.
Corvidae Corvidae is a Cosmopolitan distribution, cosmopolitan Family (biology), family of Songbird, oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, Rook (bird), rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, treepies, choughs, and Nutcracker (bird), nutcrackers ...
crows, ravens, jays and magpies * Pied raven, ''Corvus corax varius'' morpha ''leucophaeus'' (Faroe Islands, North Atlantic, 1902) *:A distinct local white-with-black-markings and light brown-billed Polymorphism (biology), color morph of the North Atlantic raven, a subspecies of the common raven, found only on the Faroe Islands and not seen since 1902. Birds currently living on the Faroe Islands and on Iceland (the only other area in this subspecies' range) are all-black and black-billed; this still-existing color morph is named ''Corvus corax varius'' morpha ''typicus''. Regulidaekinglets * Guadalupe ruby-crowned kinglet, ''Corthylio calendula obscurus'' (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific, 20th century) *:A subspecies of the Ruby-crowned kinglet#Taxonomy, ruby-crowned kinglet that has not been recorded since 1953.
Hirundinidae The swallows, martins, and saw-wings, or Hirundinidae are a family of passerine songbirds found around the world on all continents, including occasionally in Antarctica. Highly adapted to aerial feeding, they have a distinctive appearance. The t ...
swallows and martins * Jamaican golden swallow, ''Tachycineta euchrysea euchrysea'' (Jamaica, West Indies, c. 1990?) *:The nominate subspecies of the Golden swallow (bird), golden swallow; endemic to Jamaica. The last major roost site was destroyed in 1987 and the last confirmed sighting was in 1989. It may still exist in the Cockpit Country. Phylloscopidaephylloscopid warblers or leaf warblers * Eastern Canary Islands chiffchaff, ''Phylloscopus canariensis exsul'' (Lanzarote and possibly Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the Canary Islands chiffchaff; it was probably extinct by 1986. Cettiidaecettiid warblers or typical bush warblers * Babar stubtail, ''Urosphena subulata advena'' (Babar, Indonesia, extant) *:A subspecies of the Timor stubtail that has been considered extinct, but was recorded as common on Babar in 2009 and 2011. * Western Turner's eremomela, ''Eremomela turneri kalindei'' (Congo Basin, Africa, late 20th century?) *:The West African subspecies of Turner's eremomela has not been recorded since the end of the 1970s, but there is unsurveyed habitat in its range where it is likely that it may still exist. Its placement in Cettiidae requires confirmation.
Acrocephalidae The Acrocephalidae (the reed warblers, marsh- and tree-warblers, or acrocephalid warblers) are a family of oscine passerine birds, in the superfamily Sylvioidea. The species in this family are usually rather large "warblers". Most are rather pl ...
acrocephalid warblers or marsh warblers, tree warblers and reed warblers * Marshall Islands reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus rehsei'' ssp.? (Marshall Islands, Micronesia, c. 1880?) *:Oral tradition and some early reports mention a bird called the ''annañ'' which inhabited some of the Marshall Islands. The best match is the Nauru reed warbler; the ''annañ'' might have been an undescribed subspecies of that species or a distinct but related species of reed warbler. * Laysan millerbird, ''Acrocephalus familiaris familiaris'' (Laysan, Hawaiian Islands, late 1910s) *:The nominate subspecies of the millerbird.
Pycnonotidae The bulbuls are members of a family (biology), family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized perching bird, passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and in ...
bulbuls * Sumatran blue-wattled bulbul, ''Brachypodius nieuwenhuisii inexspectatus'' (Sumatra, Indonesia, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the blue-wattled bulbul known only from a single specimen taken in 1937; however, this entire "species" may actually be a hybrid.
Cisticolidae The family Cisticolidae is a group of about 160 warblers, small passerine birds found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They were formerly included within the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. This family probably originated ...
cisticolas and allies * Northern white-winged apalis, ''Apalis chariessa chariessa'' (Kenya, Africa, late 20th century?) *:The nominate subspecies of the white-winged apalis remains known only from the Tana River, a centre of endemism. It was last recorded in 1961. Sylviidaesylviid ("true") warblers and parrotbills * Vanua Levu long-legged thicketbird, ''Cincloramphus rufus clunei'' (Vanua Levu, Fiji, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the long-legged thicketbird; it was found only once, but there was an unconfirmed sighting in 1990, suggesting that it may still exist. Its placement in Sylviidae is doubtful. * Fayyum warbler, ''Curruca melanocephala'' / ''momus norissae'' (Egypt, Africa, 1939) *:A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the Sardinian warbler. It has not been recorded since 1939. Zosteropidaewhite-eyes. Probably belong in Timaliidae. * Guam bridled white-eye, ''Zosterops conspicillatus conspicillatus'' (Guam and Marianas, West Pacific, 1983) *:The nominate subspecies of the bridled white-eye or possibly a monotypic species. It was last recorded in 1983. * Mukojima white-eye, ''Apalopteron familiare familiare'' (Mukojima Group, Ogasawara Islands, 20th century?) *:The nominate subspecies of the Bonin white-eye (formerly known as the "Bonin honeyeater") not recorded since its last specimen was collected in 1930. TimaliidaeOld World babblers * Vanderbilt's babbler, ''Malacocincla sepiaria vanderbilti'' (Sumatra, Indonesia, late 20th century?) *:An enigmatic subspecies of Horsfield's babbler known from a single specimen. It has not been seen since the 1940s at the latest. * Burmese Jerdon's babbler, ''Chrysomma altirostre altirostre'' (Myanmar, 20th century?) *:The nominate subspecies of Jerdon's babbler was last confirmed in 1941, but as there has been little fieldwork in its range and a possible sighting occurred in 1994, it is considered likely that it may still exist. "Old World warbler, African warblers" * Chapin's crombec, Chapin's white-browed crombec, ''Sylvietta leucophrys chapini'' (Congo Basin, Africa, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the white-browed crombec or possibly a distinct species. Restricted to the Lendu Plateau; it is probably rare, though unsurveyed forest remains where it is likely that it may still exist.
Sylvioidea Sylvioidea is a superfamily of passerine birds, one of at least three major clades within the Passerida along with the Muscicapoidea and Passeroidea. It contains about 1300 species including the Old World warblers, Old World babblers, swallows ...
''
incertae sedis or is a term used for a taxonomy (biology), taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...
'' * Lake Amik bearded reedling, ''Panurus biarmicus kosswigi'' (southern Turkey, extant) *:A subspecies of the bearded reedling which was once considered to be extinct due to the drainage of Lake Amik, but still exists in the area. Troglodytidaewrens *
San Benedicto rock wren The San Benedicto rock wren (''Salpinctes obsoletus exsul'') is a small extinct passerine which was endemic to San Benedicto Island in the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico. It was a subspecies of the rock wren. Extinction San Benedicto is a vo ...
, ''Salpinctes obsoletus exsul'' (San Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands, 1952) *:A subspecies of the rock wren which became extinct c. 9:00 AM, August 1, 1952, when its island habitat was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption. * Guadalupe wren, Guadalupe Bewick's wren, ''Thryomanes bewickii brevicauda'' (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific, late 1890s?) *:A subspecies of Bewick's wren. An extinction date of "1903" seems to be in error; the last unquestionable record dates from 1897 and a thorough search in 1901 failed to record it. * San Clemente wren, San Clemente Bewick's wren, ''Thryomanes bewickii leucophrys'' (San Clemente Island, East Pacific, 1941) *:Another subspecies of Bewick's wren last recorded in 1941. * Daito wren, ''Troglodytes troglodytes orii'' (Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, c. 1940) *:A disputed subspecies of the Eurasian wren; it is known from a single specimen that may have been a vagrant individual and, therefore, it is possibly invalid. * Guadeloupe house wren, ''Troglodytes aedon guadeloupensis'' (Guadeloupe, West Indies, late 20th century?) *:Found in 1914, 1969 and the 1970s; now very rare or already extinct. Its taxonomy is unresolved. A part of the Northern house wren, house wren complex; other scientific names for it include ''T. musculus guadeloupensis'' and ''T. guadeloupensis''. * Martinique house wren, ''Troglodytes aedon martinicensis'' (Martinique, West Indies, c. 1890) *:Last found in 1886. Its taxonomy is also unresolved. Another part of the Northern house wren, house wren complex; other scientific names for it include ''T. musculus martinicensis'' and ''T. martinicensis''. Paridaetits, chickadees and titmice * Daito varied tit, ''Sittiparus varius orii'' (Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, 1938) *:A subspecies of the varied tit last recorded in 1938 and not found in subsequent surveys in 1984 and 1986. * Zagros coal tit, ''Periparus ater phaeonotus'' (Zagros Mountains, southwestern Iran, 1870) *:A subspecies of the coal tit only known by the type specimen from 1870. Cinclidaedippers * Cyprus dipper, Cyprus white-throated dipper, ''Cinclus cinclus olympicus'' (Cyprus, northeastern Mediterranean, 1945) *:A formerly recognised subspecies of the white-throated dipper that is now considered invalid. It became extinct in 1945.
Muscicapidae The Old World flycatchers are a large family, the Muscicapidae, of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia), with the exception of several vagrants and two species, bluethroat (''Luscinia svecica'') and north ...
Old World flycatchers and chats * Tonkean jungle flycatcher, ''Cyornis colonus subsolanus'' (Sulawesi, Indonesia, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the Sula jungle flycatcher that is known from a single specimen. It may be invalid. * Chinijo stonechat, ''Saxicola dacotiae murielae'' (Chinijo Archipelago, Canary Islands, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the Canary Islands stonechat. Turdidaethrushes and allies * Norfolk thrush, ''Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus'' (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, c. 1975) *:The nominate subspecies of the Tasman Sea island thrush last seen in 1975. * Lord Howe thrush, ''Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus'' (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, early 20th century) *:The second subspecies of the Tasman Sea island thrush last recorded in 1913 and extinct by 1928. * Maré thrush, ''Turdus vanikorensis mareensis'' (Maré Island, New Caledonia, early 20th century) *:A subspecies of the Vanikoro island thrush last collected in 1911 or 1912 and not found again after 1939. * Saint Lucia forest thrush, ''Turdus lherminieri sanctaeluciae'' (St. Lucia, West Indies, extant) *:A subspecies of the forest thrush. It has been thought to be extinct, but it was recorded at Des Chassin in 2007. * Peleng red-and-black thrush, ''Geohichia mendeni mendeni'' (Peleng, Indonesia, mid-20th century?) *:The nominate subspecies of the red-and-black thrush; little is known about it. * Kibale black-eared ground thrush, ''Geohichia camaronensis kibalensis'' (southwestern Uganda, Africa, late 20th century?) *:A subspecies of the black-eared ground thrush or possibly a distinct species; known only from two specimens, both from 1966. It is likely that it still exists in suitable habitat, but it could already be extinct. * Choiseul russet-tailed thrush, ''Zoothera heinei choiseuli'' (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, mid-20th century?) *:A subspecies of the russet-tailed thrush known from a single specimen found in 1924. It could have been wiped out by introduced feral cats, but the island is poorly known and so it should not be presumed extinct yet. *Isle of Pines solitaire, ''Myadestes elisabeth retrusus'' (Isla de la Juventud, West Indies, 20th century) *:A subspecies of the Cuban solitaire. The last confirmed records were in the 1930s, with unconfirmed reports in the early 1970s. Mimidaemockingbirds and thrashers * Barbados scaly-breasted thrasher, ''Allenia fusca atlantica'' (Barbados, West Indies, 1987?) *:A subspecies of the scaly-breasted thrasher last recorded in 1987. Most of its range has been searched since then, with no records known.
Estrildidae Estrildidae, or estrildid finches, is a family of small seed-eating passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They comprise species commonly known as munias, mannikins, firefinches, parrotfinches and waxbills. They are gregarious ...
estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc.) * Southern star finch, ''Bathilda ruficauda ruficauda'' (Australia, 1995) *:The nominate subspecies of the star finch last recorded in 1995 and not found during later searches in the 1990s. It is not known to survive in captivity.
Fringillidae The true finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. Finches generally have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where the ...
true finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers * San Benito house finch, ''Haemorhous mexicanus mcgregori'' (San Benito, East Pacific, c. 1940s) *:A subspecies of the house finch. * Lanai alauahio, ''Paroreomyza montana montana'' (Lanai, Hawaiian Islands, 1937) *:The nominate subspecies of the Maui alauahio (or, more properly, the Maui Nui alauahio), it was last recorded in 1937 and was certainly extinct by 1960.
Icteridae Icterids () or New World blackbirds make up a family, the Icteridae (), of small to medium-sized, often colorful, New World passerine birds. The family contains 108 species and is divided into 30 genera. Most species have black as a predominant ...
New World blackbirds and allies * Grand Cayman oriole, ''Icterus leucopteryx bairdi'' (Grand Cayman, West Indies, late 20th century) *:A subspecies of the Jamaican oriole last recorded in 1967.
Parulidae The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds that make up the family Parulidae and are restricted to the New World. The family contains 120 species. They are not closely related to Old World warb ...
New World warblers * New Providence yellowthroat, ''Geothlypis rostrata rostrata'' (Andros and New Providence, Bahamas, West Indies, 1990?) *:The nominate subspecies of the Bahama yellowthroat; it is either extinct or almost extinct. Thraupidaetanagers * Gonâve western chat-tanager, ''Calyptophilus tertius abbotti'' (Gonâve, West Indies, c. 1980?) *:A subspecies of the western chat-tanager last recorded in 1977 and probably extinct. * Samaná eastern chat-tanager, ''Calyptophilus frugivorus frugivorus'' (eastern Hispaniola, West Indies, late 20th century) *:The nominate subspecies of the eastern chat-tanager; the last (unconfirmed?) record was in 1982 and concerted efforts to record it ever since have failed. * Darwin's large ground finch, ''Geospiza magnirostris magnirostris'' (Floreana Island?, Galápagos Islands, 1957?) *:The (possibly invalid) nominate subspecies of the large ground finch collected by Charles Darwin in 1835; he gave no precise location for it. A similar bird was found in 1957, but no others have been seen since then. * Saint Kitts bullfinch, ''Melopyrrha portoricensis grandis'' (St. Kitts and (prehistorically) Barbuda, West Indies, 1930) *:A subspecies of the Puerto Rican bullfinch. Emberizoideabuntings and New World sparrows * Todos Santos rufous-crowned sparrow, ''Aimophila ruficeps sanctorum'' (Islas Todos Santos, East Pacific, 1970s?) *:A subspecies of the rufous-crowned sparrow once common but not recorded during surveys in the 1970s or since then. * Santa Barbara song sparrow, ''Melospiza melodia graminea'' (Santa Barbara Island, North America, late 1960s) *:A subspecies of the song sparrow last seen in 1967; it became extinct due to a severe wildfire in 1959 and subsequent predation by feral cats. Officially declared extinct by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1983. * Dusky seaside sparrow, ''Ammospiza maritima nigrescens'' (Florida, North America, late 1980s) *:A subspecies of the seaside sparrow last recorded in the wild in 1987. * Guadalupe spotted towhee, ''Pipilo maculatus consobrinus'' (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific, c. 1900) *:A subspecies of the spotted towhee.


See also

* Bird extinction * Dinosaur * Flightless bird * Holocene extinction * Lazarus taxon * List of bird extinctions by year * List of fossil bird genera *
List of Late Quaternary prehistoric bird species Late Quaternary prehistoric birds are avian taxa that became extinct during the Late Quaternary – the Late Pleistocene or Early Holocene – and before recorded history, specifically before they could be studied alive by ornithol ...
* Lists of extinct species * Origin of birds


Footnotes


References

* BirdLife International (BLI) (2008): Globally Threatened Foru
Sharpe's Rail (''Gallirallus sharpei''): no longer recognised taxonomically
Version of November 24, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2008. * Fuller, Errol (2000): ''Extinct Birds'' (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York. * Gutiérrez Expósito, Carlos; Copete, José Luis; Crochet, Pierre-André; Qninba, Abdeljebbar and Garrido, Héctor (2011): "History, status and distribution of Andalusian Buttonquail in the WP". ''Dutch Birding'' 33 (#2): 75–93. * Spennemann, Dirk H.R. (2006)
"Extinctions and extirpations in Marshall Islands avifauna since European contacta review of historic evidence"
''Micronesica'' 38 (2): 253–266. * Szabo, Judit K.; Khwaja, Nyil; Garnett, Stephen T. and Butchart, Stuart H.M. (2012)
"Global patterns and drivers of avian extinctions at the species and subspecies level"
''PLoS One'' 7 (#10): e47080.


External links


The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The BirdLife Extinct Birds species list

The BirdLife Data Zone containing factsheets for all Birds species

Extinct Birds Stock Photography



New Zealand Extinct Birds List

The Extinction Website

NaturalisExtinct Birds
: 3D images of extinct bird species in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History (Leiden, Netherlands).

August 2014 {{Birds, state=collapsed Bird extinctions since 1500, 01 Extinct birds, . Lists of birds, Extinct, Recent Lists of extinct animals, Bird Lists of animal species, Birds, Recently extinct Lists of animals by conservation status, Recently extinct birds Birds by classification, Extinct, Recent IUCN Red List extinct species, *Invertebrates