The Moa was one of the most extraordinary birds to ever walk the earth. Native to New Zealand, this group of giant, flightless birds once dominated the islands’ forests, grasslands, and shrublands. Some species stood over 12 feet tall, making them the tallest birds that ever lived. What makes the Moa so fascinating is not…
The Great Auk was once one of the most fascinating seabirds to inhabit the North Atlantic. Known for its penguin-like appearance and inability to fly, this bird captured the attention of sailors, hunters, and naturalists for centuries. Standing nearly three feet tall, the Great Auk was a powerful swimmer that thrived in cold waters, diving…
The Passenger Pigeon is one of the most famous extinct birds in history, remembered for its staggering numbers and sudden disappearance. At one time, billions of these birds filled the skies of North America. Early settlers described flocks so vast that they darkened the sun for hours. Yet by the early 20th century, the species…
Few birds capture the human imagination as strongly as the Dodo. This flightless bird, once found only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, has become the ultimate symbol of extinction. Though it disappeared more than 350 years ago, the Dodo is still alive in popular culture, history books, and even everyday language….
The Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) is a fascinating and mysterious bird species that once lived along the northeastern coast of North America. What makes it interesting is how little we know about it, yet it has become emblematic of species loss. It’s extinct now, with the last confirmed sighting in 1878. One surprising fact: though…
Huia New Zealand was more than just a bird. It stood for something sacred, a symbol of artistry, status, and the deep connection between people and place in New Zealand. Native to the North Island, the huia vanished by the early 20th century—yet its story still captures imaginations. One surprising fact: male and female huias…
The Guam Kingfisher, also known by its Chamoru name sihek, is a bird that draws attention because it vanished from its homeland and is now being reintroduced through determined conservation work. It used to live only on Guam, a small Pacific island, and one surprising fact is that its decline was caused primarily by a…
The Carolina Parakeet was once one of the most colorful and fascinating birds native to the United States. With its bright green body, yellow head, and striking orange face, it looked like a tropical parrot—but it lived across much of the eastern United States. Flocks of these birds once filled forests and river valleys from…
The Elephant Bird is one of the most awe-inspiring birds in history. Native to the island of Madagascar, these massive, flightless birds could stand up to 10 feet tall and weigh nearly half a ton, making them the largest birds to ever walk the earth. What makes the Elephant Bird so interesting is the blend…
The Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima nigrescens) was a small songbird that lived only in parts of Florida’s salt marshes. It stood out because it never migrated, it had a unique song, and its extinction is among the best documented in recent U.S. history. One surprising fact: by the time people realized how critical its…
