List of Late Quaternary prehistoric bird species explained
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 ornithological science. They had died out before the period of global scientific exploration that started in the late 15th century. In other words, this list deals with avian extinctions between 40,000 BC and AD 1500. For the purposes of this article, a "bird" is any member of the clade Neornithes, that is, any descendant of the most recent common ancestor of all currently living birds.
The birds are known from their remains, which are subfossil; as the remains are not completely fossilized, they may yield organic material for molecular analyses to provide additional clues for resolving their taxonomic affiliations. Some birds are also known from folk memory, as in the case of Haast's eagle in New Zealand.
The extinction of the taxa in this list was coincident with the expansion of Homo sapiens beyond Africa and Eurasia, and in most cases, anthropogenic factors played a crucial part in their extinction, be it through hunting, introduced predators or habitat alteration. It is notable that a large proportion of the species are from oceanic islands, especially in Polynesia. Bird taxa that evolved on oceanic islands are usually very vulnerable to hunting or predation by rats, pigs, dogs or cats (animals commonly introduced by humans) as they evolved in the absence of mammalian predators, and therefore have only rudimentary predator avoidance behavior. Many, especially rails, have additionally become flightless for the same reason and thus present even easier prey.
Taxon extinctions taking place before the Late Quaternary happened in the absence of significant human interference. Rather, reasons for extinction are random abiotic events such as bolide impacts, climate changes, mass volcanic eruptions, etc. Alternatively, species may have become extinct due to evolutionary displacement by successor or competitor taxa – it is notable for example that in the early Neogene, seabird biodiversity was much higher than today; this is probably due to competition by the radiation of marine mammals after that time. The relationships of these ancient birds are often hard to determine, as many are known only from very fragmentary remains and complete fossilization precludes analysis of information from DNA, RNA or protein sequencing.
Extinct bird species differed from still-existing birds by being larger, mostly restricted to islands, and often flightless. These factors made them especially vulnerable to human prosecution and to other anthropogenically related declines.[1]
Taxonomic list of Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
All of these birds are in Neornithes.
Paleognathes
Struthioniformes
The ostriches
†Aepyornithiformes
The elephant birds of Madagascar
†Dinornithiformes
The moa of New Zealand
- †Emeidae – lesser moa
- †Anomalopteryx
- Bush moa, Anomalopteryx didiformis (North and South Islands, New Zealand)
- †Euryapteryx
- †Pachyornis
- Crested moa, Pachyornis australis (western South Island, New Zealand)
- Heavy-footed moa, Pachyornis elephantopus (eastern South Island, New Zealand)
- Mantell's moa, Pachyornis geranoides (North Island, New Zealand)
- †Emeus
- †Dinornithidae – giant moa
- †Megalapterygidae – upland moa
- †Megalapteryx
- Upland moa, Megalapteryx didinus (South Island, New Zealand) – may have survived into historic times (syn. Megalapteryx benhami)
†Gastornithiformes
An extinct order of giant flightless fowl.
The group that includes modern ducks, geese and swans.
- Anatidae – ducks, geese and swans
- †Cnemiornis
- South Island goose, Cnemiornis calcitrans (South Island, New Zealand)
- North Island goose, Cnemiornis gracilis (North Island, New Zealand)
- †Centrornis
- †Chelychelynechen
- †Ptaiochen
- †Thambetochen
- Maui Nui large-billed moa-nalo, Thambetochen chauliodous (Maui and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Oʻahu moa-nalo, Thambetochen xanion (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- †Chendytes
- Chendytes lawi (California and southern Oregon coasts and Channel Islands, East Pacific)
- †Talpanas
- Kauaʻi mole duck, Talpanas lippa (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Dendrocygninae – whistling ducks
- Dendrocygna
- Aitutaki whistling-duck, Dendrocygna sp. (Aitutaki, Cook Islands)
- Anserinae
- Biziurini – musk ducks
- Oxyurini
- Anserini – geese and swans
- Malacorhynchus
- Branta
- Nēnē-nui, Branta hylobadistes (Maui, possibly Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Giant Hawaiʻi goose, Branta rhuax (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands) – formerly in the monotypic genus Geochen
- Anser
- Dyuktai goose, Anser djuktaiensis (Yakutia, Russia)
- Anser aff. erythropus (Ibiza, Mediterranean)
- Cygnus – swans
- Giant swan, Cygnus falconeri (Malta, Sicily)
- Dwarf sawn, Cygnus equitum (Malta, Sicily) – occasionally placed in the genus Anser
- New Zealand swan, Cygnus sumnerensis (New Zealand and the Chatham Islands)
- New Zealand swan, Cygnus sumnerensis sumnerensis (New Zealand)
- Chatham Islands swan, Cygnus sumnerensis chathamicus (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
- Anatinae – ducks
- Tadornini
- Mergini – sea ducks
- Aythyini – diving ducks
- Anatini – dabbling ducks
- Anas
- Anas amotape (Campbell 1979) (Talara Tar Seeps, Late Pleistocene of Peru)
- Anas elapsum (Chinchilla Late Pleistocene of Condamine River, Australia) (“Nettion”)
- Anas gracilipes (Late Pleistocene of Australia) – likely a junior synonym of the chestnut teal (Anas castanea)
- Anas schneideri Emslie 1985 (Late Pleistocene of Little Box Elder Cave, U.S.)[8]
- Anas strennum (Late Pleistocene of Patteramordu, Australia) ("Nettion")
- Mascarene teal, Anas theodori (Mauritius and Réunion) - extinct 1696
- Bermuda flightless duck, Anas pachyscelus (Bermuda, West Atlantic)
- Macquarie Islands teal, Anas cf. chlorotis (Macquarie Islands, Southwest Pacific)
- Chatham duck, Anas chathamica (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)[9]
- Placement unresolved
- Giant O'ahu goose, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Long-legged shelduck, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Rota flightless duck, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Rota, Marianas)
The group that includes modern chickens and quails.
True Galliformes
- Megapodidae – megapodes
- †Mwalau
- †Progura
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Megapodius – megapodes
- Consumed scrubfowl, Megapodius alimentum (Tonga and Fiji)
- Viti Levu scrubfowl, Megapodius amissus (Viti Levu and possibly Kadavu and Aiwa, Fiji) – may have survived to the early 19th or the 20th century
- Pile-builder megapode, Megapodius molistructor (New Caledonia, Tonga and possibly Aiwa, Fiji)
- ʻEua scrubfowl or small-footed megapode, Megapodius sp. (ʻEua, Tonga)
- Lifuka scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (Lifuka, Tonga)
- Stout Tongan megapode Megapodius sp. (Tongatapu, Tonga)
- Megapodius sp. (Ofu, Samoa)
- Large Solomon Islands megapode Megapodius sp. (Buka Island, Solomon Islands)
- New Caledonian megapode Megapodius sp. (Grande Tierre, New Caledonia)
- Loyalty megapode Megapodius sp. (Lifou and Maré, Loyalty Islands)
- New Ireland scrubfowl or large Bismarck's megapode, Megapodius sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Phasianidae – pheasants and allies
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Gallini – francolins and junglefowl
- Gallus – junglefowl
- Gallus sp. (Middle/Late Pleistocene of Kudaro, South Ossetia)
- Gallus imereticus (Late Pleistocene of Gvardjilas-Klde, Imeretia)
- Gallus meschtscheriensis (Late Pleistocene of Soungir, Russia)
- Gallus georgicus (Late Pleistocene - Early Holocene of Georgia
- Gallus sp. (Late Pleistocene of Krivtcha Cave, Ukraine)
- Gallus sp. (Early Holocene of Dnieper region)
- Coturnicini
- Coturnix
- Canary Islands quail, Coturnix gomerae (Canary Islands, East Atlantic)
- Porto Santo quail, Coturnix alabrevis (Madeira, East Atlantic)
- Cape Verde quail, Coturnix centensis (Cape Verde, East Atlantic)
- Madeiran quail, Coturnix lignorum (Madeira, East Atlantic)
- Phasianinae
Charadriiformes
Gulls, auks and shorebirds
Charadrii
- Charadriidae – lapwings and plovers
- Vanellinae – lapwings
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Scolopacidae – waders and snipes
- Scolopacinae – dowitchers, snipes and woodcocks
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Scolopax – woodcocks
- Coenocorypha – austral snipes
- Gallinago
- Arenariinae – turnstones and stints
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Alcidae – auks
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Laridae – gulls
- Extinct species of extant genera
Gruiformes
The group that includes modern rails and cranes.
- Rallidae – rails
- †Capellirallus (syn. Gallirallus)
- Snipe-rail, Capellirallus karamu (North Island, New Zealand)
- †Vitirallus (syn. Gallirallus)
- Viti Levu rail, Vitirallus watlingi (Viti Levu, Fiji)
- †Hovacrex (syn. Gallinula)
- †Nesotrochis
- Antillean cave rail, Nesotrochis debooyi (Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, West Indies) – may have survived into historic times
- Haitian cave rail, Nesotrochis steganinos (Haiti, West Indies)
- Cuban cave rail, Nesotrochis picapicensis (Cuba, West Indies)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- New Caledonian gallinule, Porphyrio kukwiedei (New Caledonia, Melanesia) – may have survived into historic times
- North Island takahē, Porphyrio mantelli (North Island, New Zealand)
- Huahine swamphen, Porphyrio mcnabi (Huahine, Society Islands)
- Marquesas swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas) – may have survived to the late 19th century
- Buka swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Buka, Solomon Islands)
- Giant swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Mangaia swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands) (not to genus Pareudiastes)
- New Ireland swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Norfolk Island swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific)
- Rota swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Rota, Marianas)
- Ibiza rail, Rallus eivissensis (Ibiza, Mediterranean)
- Madeira rail, Rallus lowei (Madeira, Macaronesia)
- Porto Santo rail, Rallus adolfocaesaris (Porto Santo Island, Macaronesia)
- Rallus sp. (known from subfossil remains found on Madeira and Porto Santo Island)
- São Miguel rail, Rallus carvaoensis (São Miguel Island, Azores)
- Pico rail, Rallus montivagorum (Pico Island, Azores)
- São Jorge rail, Rallus nanus (São Jorge Island, Azores) (erroneously previously described as Rallus minutus, which is a junior homonym)
- Graciosa rail, Rallus sp. (Graciosa, Azores)
- Terceira rail, Rallus sp. (Terceira, Azores)
- Santa Maria rail, Rallus sp. (Santa Maria Island, Azores)
- Lifuka rail, Gallirallus sp. (Lifuka, Tonga)
- Nuku Hiva rail, Gallirallus epulare (Nuku Hiva, Marquesas)
- Ua Huka rail, Gallirallus gracilitibia (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
- Niue rail, Gallirallus huiatua (Niue, Cook Islands)
- Mangaia rail, Gallirallus ripleyi (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
- Tahuata rail, Gallirallus roletti (Tahuata, Marquesas)
- Huahine rail, Gallirallus storrsolsoni (Huahine, Society Islands)
- Hiva Oa rail, Gallirallus sp. (Marquesas, Pacific)
- ʻEua rail, Gallirallus vekamatolu (ʻEua, Tonga)
- Rota rail, Gallirallus temptatus (Rota, Marianas, West Pacific)
- Aguiguan rail, Gallirallus pisonii (Aguiguan, Marianas, West Pacific)
- Tinian rail, Gallirallus pendiculentus (Tinian, Marianas, West Pacific)
- Saipan rail, Gallirallus sp. (Saipan, Marianas, West Pacific)
- New Ireland rail, Gallirallus ernstmayri (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Norfolk Island rail, Gallirallus sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific) – may have survived to the 19th century
- Great Oʻahu crake, Porzana ralphorum (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Great Maui crake, Porzana severnsi (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Mangaia crake, Porzana rua (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
- Liliput crake, Porzana menehune (Moloka'i, Hawaiian Islands)
- Small O‘ahu crake, Porzana ziegleri (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Small Maui crake, Porzana keplerorum (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Easter Island crake, Porzana sp. (Easter Island, Southeast Pacific)
- Great Hawaiian crake, Porzana sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
- Great Kaua‘i crake, Porzana sp. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Huahine crake, Porzana sp. (Huahine, Society Islands)
- Mangaia crake #2, Porzana sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
- Marquesas crake, Porzana sp. (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
- Mariana crake, Porzana sp. (Marianas, West Pacific) – possibly four species
- Medium Kaua'i crake, Porzana sp. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Medium Maui crake, Porzana sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Small Hawaiian crake, Porzana sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
- Hodgens' waterhen, Tribonyx hodgenorum (New Zealand)
- Viti Levu gallinule, ?Gallinula sp. (Viti Levu, Fiji) – would be separated into Pareudiastes if that genus is considered valid, or may be a new genus
- New Zealand coot, Fulica prisca (New Zealand)
- Chatham coot, Fulica chathamensis (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
- Fulica montanei (Chile)
- Vavaʻu rail, Hypotaenidia vavauensis (Vava'u, Tonga)
- Placement unresolved
- Barbados rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Barbados, West Indies) – formerly Fulica podagrica (partim)
- Easter Island rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Easter Island)
- Fernando de Noronha rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Fernando de Noronha, Atlantic) – probably survived into historic times
- Gruidae – cranes
- Extinct species of extant genera
- †Aptornithidae – adzebills (probably belongs in a separate order)
Eurypygiformes
- Rhynochetidae – kagus
- Extinct species of extant genera
Procellariiformes
The group that includes modern albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and storm petrels.
- Procellariidae – petrels
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Dune shearwater or Hole's shearwater, Puffinus holeae (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, East Pacific, and the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula)
- Lava shearwater or Olson's shearwater, Puffinus olsoni (Canary Islands, East Atlantic)
- Saint Helena shearwater, Puffinus pacificoides (St. Helena, South Atlantic)
- Scarlett's shearwater, Puffinus spelaeus (South Island, New Zealand)
- Menorcan shearwater, Puffinus sp. (Menorca, Balearic Islands) – possibly an extirpated population of a still-existing species
- ʻEua shearwater, Puffinus sp. (ʻEua, Tonga)
- ʻEua petrel, Puffinus sp. (ʻEua, Tonga)
- Oʻahu petrel, Pterodroma jugabilis (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)[13]
- Canary Islands petrel, Pterodroma sp. (El Hierro, Canary Islands) – possibly an extirpated population of a still-existing species
- Imber's petrel, Pterodroma imberi (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
- Pterodroma sp. (Henderson Island, S Pacific)
- Pterodroma sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific)
- Bourne's petrel, Pterodroma sp. (Rodrigues)
- Pseudobulweria sp. (Taravai, Angakauitai, Mangareva)
- Placement unresolved
- Procellariidae sp. (Easter Island, East Pacific) – possibly an extirpated population of a still-existing species
Sphenisciformes
- Spheniscidae – penguins
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Eudyptes – crested penguins
- Chatham penguin, Eudyptes warhami (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific) – possibly still existed between 1867 and 1872
- Megadyptes
- Waitaha penguin, Megadyptes waitaha (South Island and Stewart Island, New Zealand)[14]
Ciconiiformes
- Ciconiidae – storks
- Extinct species of extant genera
Suliformes
The group that includes modern boobies, gannets and cormorants.
- Phalacrocoracidae – cormorants and shags
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Microcarbo
- Phalacrocorax
- Madagascar cormorant, Phalacrocorax sp. (Madagascar)
- Leucocarbo
- Kohatu shag, Leucocarbo septentrionalis (North Island, New Zealand)[16]
- Sulidae – gannets and boobies
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
- Ua Huka booby, Papasula abbotti costelloi (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
Pelecaniformes
- Ardeidae – herons
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Ardea
- Nycticorax
- Niue night heron, Nycticorax kalavikai (Niue)
- ʻEua night heron, Nycticorax sp. ('Eua, Tonga)
- Lifuka night heron, Nycticorax sp. (Lifuka, Tonga) – may be synonymous with the ʻEua night heron
- Mangaia night heron, Nycticorax sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
- Placement unresolved
- Ardeidae gen. et sp. indet. (Easter Island, East Pacific)
- Threskiornithidae – ibises
- †Apteribis
- Maui highland ibis, Apteribis brevis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Molokaʻi ibis, Apteribis glenos (Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Maui lowland ibis, Apteribis sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Lanai ibis, Apteribis sp. (Lanai, Hawaiian Islands)
- †Xenicibis
Cathartiformes
- †Teratornithidae – teratorns
- †Teratornis
- Merriam's teratorn, Teratornis merriami (Southwestern and Southeastern U.S.)
- †Oscaravis
- Cuban teratorn, Oscaravis olsoni (Cuba, West Indies)
- Cathartidae – New World vultures
- †Pampagyps
- Pampagyps imperator (Argentina)
- †Wingegyps
- Wingegyps cartellei (Brazil)
- †Pleistovultur
- Pleistovultur nevesi (Brazil)
- †Geronogyps
- Geronogyps reliquus (Peru and Argentina)
- †Breagyps
- La Brea condor or long-legged vulture, Breagyps clarki (Southwestern U.S.)
- Extinct species of extant genera
Phoenicopteriformes
The group that includes modern flamingos.
- Phoenicopteridae - flamingos
- Extinct species of extant genera
Mesitornithiformes
- Mesitornithidae – mesites
- Extinct species of extant genera
Columbiformes
- Columbidae – doves and pigeons
- †Dysmoropelia
- Saint Helena dove, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos (Saint Helena, South Atlantic) – known from Late Pleistocene bones, but may have persisted until the 16th century
- †Natunaornis
- †Bountyphaps
- Henderson Island archaic pigeon, Bountyphaps obsoleta (Henderson Island, South Pacific)
- †Tongoenas
- Tongan giant pigeon, Tongoenas burleyi (Tonga)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Huahine cuckoo-dove, Macropygia arevarevauupa (Huahine, Society Islands)
- Marquesas cuckoo-dove, Macropygia heana (Marquesas, Pacific)
- Puerto Rican quail-dove, Geotrygon larva (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
- Great ground dove, Pampusana nui (Marquesas and Cook Islands)
- Henderson ground dove, Pampusana leonpascoi (Henderson Island, South Pacific)
- New Caledonian ground dove, Pampusana longitarsus (New Caledonia)
- Huahine ground dove, Pampusana sp. (Huahine, Society Islands) – P. nui?
- Mangaia ground dove, Pampusana sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands) – P. nui?
- Rota ground dove, Pampusana sp. (Rota, Marianas)
- Tongan tooth-billed pigeon, Didunculus placopedetes (Tonga, Pacific)
- Kanaka pigeon, Caloenas canacorum (New Caledonia, Tonga)
- Henderson imperial pigeon, Ducula harrisoni (Henderson Island, South Pacific)
- Lakeba imperial pigeon, Ducula lakeba (Lakeba, Fiji)
- Steadman's imperial pigeon, Ducula david ('Eua, Tonga, and Wallis Island)
- Tongan imperial pigeon, Ducula sp. ('Eua, Foa and Lifuka, Tonga) – may be synonymous with either D. lakeba or D. david, or possibly a new species
- Shutler's fruit pigeon, Ducula shutleri (Vava'u and Tongatapu, Tonga)
- Ducula cf. galeata (Cook Islands) – possibly a new species
- Ducula cf. galeata (Society Islands) – possibly a new species
- Ducula sp. (Viti Levu, Fiji) – may be synonymous with D. lakeba
- Tubuai fruit dove, Ptilinopus sp. (Tubuai, Austral Islands)
- Columba melitensis (Malta, Sicily)
Cuculiformes
- Cuculidae – cuckoos
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Urodynamis
- Henderson Island koel, Urodynamis cf. taitensis
- Coua
- Ancient coua, Coua primaeva (Madagascar)
- Bertha's coua, Coua berthae (Madagascar)
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
- Conkling's greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus conklingi (inland Southwestern North America)
Accipitriformes
Birds of prey
- Accipitridae – hawks and eagles
- †Bermuteo
- †Amplibuteo
- †Gigantohierax
- Gigantohierax suarezi (Cuba, West Indies)
- Gigantohierax itchei (Cuba, West Indies)
- †Titanohierax
- Titanohierax gloveralleni (Bahamas, West Indies)
- Titanohierax sp. (Hispaniola, West Indies)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Powerful goshawk, Accipiter efficax (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
- Gracile goshawk, Accipiter quartus (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
- Accipiter sp. 1 (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Accipiter sp. 2 (New Ireland, Melanesia) – one of the two New Ireland species may be the still-existing Meyer's goshawk (Astur meyerianus)
- Aquila sp. "large" (Madagascar)
- Aquila sp. "small" (Madagascar)
- Buteogallus borrasi (Cuba, West Indies)[17] – formerly in Aquila / Titanohierax
- Wood harrier, Circus dossenus (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
- Eyles's harrier, Circus teauteensis (New Zealand)
- Haast's eagle, Hieraeetus moorei (South Island, New Zealand)
- Hawaiian eagle, Haliaeetus sp. (Main Hawaiian Islands)[18]
- Malagasy crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus mahery (Madagascar)[19]
- Maltese vulture, Gyps meltensis (Malta, Sicily)
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars and potoos
- Caprimulgidae – nightjars
- Extinct species of extant genera
Aegotheliformes
Owlet-nightjars
- Aegothelidae
- Extinct species of extant genera
Apodiformes
Swifts and hummingbirds.
- Apodidae – swifts
- Extinct species of extant genera
Bucerotiformes
Hornbills and relatives. Formerly included in Coraciiformes.
- Bucerotidae – hornbills
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Rhyticeros ("Aceros")
- Lifou hornbill, Rhyticeros ("Aceros") sp. (Lifou, Loyalty Islands)
Piciformes
Woodpeckers, puffbirds and jacamars.
- Picidae – woodpeckers
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Colaptes
- Bermuda flicker, Colaptes oceanicus (Bermuda, West Atlantic) – known from Late Pleistocene and Holocene bones, but may have persisted until the 17th century[23]
Coraciiformes
- Brachypteraciidae – ground rollers
- Extinct species of extant genera
Strigiformes
True owls and barn owls.
- Strigidae – true owls
- †Grallistrix
- Kauaʻi stilt-owl, Grallistrix auceps (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Maui stilt-owl, Grallistrix erdmani (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Molokaʻi stilt-owl, Grallistrix geleches (Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Oʻahu stilt-owl, Grallistrix orion (O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- †Ornimegalonyx
- Cuban giant owl, Ornimegalonyx oteroi (Cuba, West Indies)
- Ornimegalonyx sp. – probably a subspecies of O. oteroi
- †Asphaltoglaux
- †Oraristrix
- La Brea owl, Oraristrix brea (Southern California, North America)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Bubo
- Athene
- Cretan owl, Athene cretensis (Crete, Mediterranean)
- Ninox
- New Caledonian boobook, Ninox cf. novaeseelandiae (New Caledonia, Melanesia) – possibly still exists
- Otus
- Glaucidium
- Aegolius
- Bermuda saw-whet owl (Aegolius gradyi) (Bermuda) – known from Pleistocene bones, but may have persisted until the early 1600s
- Asio
- Placement unresolved
- Strigidae gen. et sp. indet. (Ibiza, Mediterranean)
- Tytonidae – barn owls
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Tyto
- Puerto Rican barn owl, Tyto cavatica (Puerto Rico, West Indies) – may still have existed up to 1912; likely a subspecies of, or synonymous with, the still-existing ashy-faced owl (Tyto glaucops)[25]
- Cuban dwarf barn owl, Tyto maniola (Cuba, West Indies)
- New Caledonian barn owl, ?Tyto letocarti (New Caledonia, Melanesia)[26]
- Maltese barn owl, Tyto melitensis (Malta, Sicily) – possibly a paleosubspecies of, or synonymous with, the still-existing western barn owl (Tyto alba)
- Noel's barn owl, Tyto noeli (Cuba, Barbuda, West Indies) – Tyto neddi is a synonym
- Hispaniolan barn owl, Tyto ostologa (Hispaniola, West Indies)
- Bahama giant barn owl, Tyto pollens (Little Exuma and New Providence, Bahamas, West Indies)[27] – Rivero's barn owl (Tyto riveroi) is a synonym
- Antiguan barn owl Tyto sp. (Antigua, West Indies)
- Mussau barn owl, Tyto cf. novaehollandiae (Mussau, Melanesia)
- Greater New Ireland barn owl, Tyto cf. novaehollandiae (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Lesser New Ireland barn owl, Tyto cf. alba / aurantiaca (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Craves' giant barn owl, Tyto cravesae (Cuba, West Indies)
Falconiformes
- Falconidae – falcons
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Caracara
- Puerto Rican caracara, Caracara latebrosus (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
- Bahaman caracara, Caracara creightoni (Bahamas and Cuba, West Indies) – may be synomynous with Caracara latebrosus
- Jamaican caracara, Caracara tellustris (Jamaica, West Indies)[28]
- La Brea caracara, Caracara prelutosa (Rancho La Brea and San Miguel Island, California)
- Caracara major (Uruguay)
- Caracara seymouri (Peru, Ecuador)
- Milvago
- Cuban caracara, Milvago carbo (Cuba, West Indies)
- ?Milvago sp. (Jamaica, West Indies)
- Falco
- Cuban kestrel, Falco kurochkini (Cuba, West Indies) – may have survived to the 17th century
- Phalcoboenus
- Phalcoboenus napieri (Falkland Islands)
Psittaciformes
- Placement unresolved
- Psittaciformes gen. et sp. indet. (Rota, Marianas) – cf. Cacatua / Eclectus?
- Strigopidae – kakas and kakapos
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Cacatuidae – cockatoos
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Cacatua
- New Caledonian cockatoo, Cacatua sp. (New Caledonia)
- New Ireland cockatoo, Cacatua sp. (New Ireland)
- Psittacidae – parrots, parakeets, and lorikeets
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Saint Croix macaw, Ara autocthones (St. Croix, West Indies)
- Oceanic eclectus, Eclectus infectus (Tonga, Vanuatu, possibly Fiji) – may have survived to the 18th century or even longer than that
- Sinoto's lorikeet, Vini sinotoi (Marquesas, Pacific)
- Conquered lorikeet, Vini vidivici (Mangaia, Cook Islands, and Marqesas)
- Campbell parakeet, Cyanoramphus sp. (Campbell Island, New Zealand)
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
- Amazona
- Virgin Islands amazon (Amazona vittata ssp. indet.)
- Placement unresolved
- Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. 1 (Easter Island)
- Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. 2 (Easter Island)
- Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Guam, Marianas) – cf. Trichoglossus / Vini?
Passeriformes
- Placement unresolved
- Slender-billed Kauaʻi passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Tiny Kauaʻi passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Acanthisittidae – New Zealand "wrens"
- †Xenicus
- †Dendroscansor
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
- North Island rock wren, Xenicus gilviventris ssp. nov. (North Island, New Zealand) – a subspecies of X. gilviventris
- Corvidae – crows, ravens, jays and magpies
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Corvus
- High-billed crow, Corvus impluviatus (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Robust crow, Corvus viriosus (Oʻahu and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- New Zealand raven, Corvus antipodum (New Zealand)
- North Island raven, Corvus antipodum antipodum (North Island, New Zealand)
- South Island raven, Corvus antipodum pycrafti (South Island, New Zealand)
- Chatham raven, Corvus moriorum (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
- New Ireland crow, Corvus sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
- Puerto Rican crow, Corvus pumilis (Puerto Rico and St. Croix, West Indies) – probably a subspecies of either the Cuban crow (Corvus nasicus) or the palm crow (Corvus palmarum)
- Hirundinidae – swallows and martins
- Extinct subspecies of extant species
- Henderson Island Pacific swallow, Hirundo tahitensis ssp. nov. (Henderson Island, South Pacific)
- Cettiidae – bush warblers
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Horornis
- ʻEua bush warbler, Horornis sp. (ʻEua, Tonga)
- Zosteropidae – white-eyes
- Placement unresolved
- Tongan large white-eye, Zosteropidae gen. et sp. indet. (ʻEua, Tonga)
- Guam large white-eye, Zosteropidae gen. et sp. indet. (Guam, Marianas)
- Sturnidae – starlings
- †Cryptopsar
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Aplonis
- Huahine starling, Aplonis diluvialis (Huahine, Society Islands)
- Erromango starling, Aplonis sp. (Erromango, Vanuatu)
- Turdidae – thrushes
- †Meridiocichla
- Meridiocichla salotti (Corsica)
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Myadestes
- Olomaʻo, Myadestes lanaiensis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands) – may have survived until the 19th century
- Mohoidae – Hawaiian honeyeaters
- Prehistorically extinct species of recently extinct genera
- Oʻahu kioea, Chaetoptila cf. angustipluma (Oʻahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Narrow-billed kioea, ?Chaetoptila sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Fringillidae – true finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers
- †Orthiospiza
- †Xestospiza
- †Vangulifer
- Strange-billed finch, Vangulifer mirandus (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Thin-billed finch, Vangulifer neophasis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- †Aidemedia
- Oʻahu icterid-like gaper, Aidemedia chascax (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Sickle-billed gaper, Aidemedia zanclops (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Maui Nui icterid-like gaper, Aidemedia lutetiae (Maui and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Prehistorically extinct species of extant and recently extinct genera
- Slender-billed greenfinch, Chloris aurelioi (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
- Trias greenfinch, Chloris triasi (La Palma, Canary Islands)
- Greater Azores bullfinch, Pyrrhula crassa (Graciosa, Azores)[32]
- Kauaʻi finch, Telespiza persecutrix (Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Maui Nui finch, Telespiza ypsilon (Maui and Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Maui finch, Telespiza cf. ypsilon (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Kauaʻi palila, Loxioides kikuichi (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands) – possibly survived until the early 18th century
- Scissor-billed koa finch, Rhodacanthis forfex (Kauaʻi and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Primitive koa finch, Rhodacanthis litotes (Oʻahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Wahi grosbeak, Chloridops wahi (Oʻahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- King Kong grosbeak, Chloridops regiskongi (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Kauaʻi grosbeak, Chloridops sp. (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands) – may be synomynous with C. wahi
- Maui grosbeak, Chloridops sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Giant nukupuʻu, Hemignathus vorpalis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
- Hoopoe-billed ʻakialoa, Akialoa upupirostris (Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Giant ʻakialoa, Akialoa sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
- Akialoa sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
- Stout-legged finch, Ciridops tenax (Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Molokaʻi ʻula-ʻai-hawane, Ciridops cf. anna (Molokaʻi, Hawaiian Islands)
- Oʻahu ʻula-ʻai-hawane, Ciridops sp. (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Placement unresolved
- Drepanidini gen. et sp. indet. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands) – at least three species
- Drepanidini gen. et sp. indet. (Oʻahu, Hawaiian Islands)
- Estrildidae – waxbills
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Erythrura
- Marianas parrotfinch, Erythrura sp. (Guam and Rota, Marianas)
- Emberizidae – Old World buntings
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Passerellidae – New World sparrows
- †Pedinorhis
- Puerto Rican obscure bunting, Pedinorhis stirpsarcana (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
- Icteridae - New World blackbirds, New World orioles and grackles
- †Pandanaris
- Extinct species of extant genera
- Euphagus
- Large-billed blackbird, Euphagus magnirostris (California south to South America)
- Molothrus
- Icterus
- Talara troupial, Icterus turmalis (Peru)
See also
References
General
- Steadman, David William (2006): Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press.
- Balouet, Jean-Christophe; Olson, Storrs L. (1989) Fossil birds from late Quaternary deposits in New Caledonia. Washington, D. C. Smithsonian contributions to zoology; Nr. 469. Smithsonian Institution Press
- Goodman, S.M. and Patterson, B.D. (1997) Natural Change and Human Impact in Madagascar. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London. 432 S.
- del Hoyo, J., Andrew Elliott, David Christie (2007) Handbook of the Birds of the World Volume 12 Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees, Lynx Edicions, 2007.
- Turvey, Samuel T. (edit.) (2009) Holocene Extinctions. Oxford University Press.
- Feduccia, Alan (1999) The Origin and Evolution of Birds. 2nd. Edit. Yale University Press.
- Storrs L. . Olson . James, Helen F . 1991 . Descriptions of Thirty-Two New Species of Birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes . Ornithological Monographs . 45 . 45 . 1–91 . 10.2307/40166794 . 10088/1745. 40166794 .
- Helen F. . James . Olson, Storrs L . 1991 . Descriptions of Thirty-Two New Species of Birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes . . 46 . 46 . 1–92 . 10.2307/40166713 . 10088/1745. 40166713 .
External links
Notes and References
- Big, flightless, insular and dead: Characterising the extinct birds of the Quaternary. 10.1111/jbi.14206. 2021. Fromm. Amir. Meiri. Shai. McGuire. Jenny. Journal of Biogeography. 48. 9. 2350–2359. 237285682 .
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- Hansford . J. P. . Turvey . S. T. . 2018-09-26 . Unexpected diversity within the extinct elephant birds (Aves: Aepyornithidae) and a new identity for the world's largest bird . . 5 . 9 . 181295 . 2018RSOS....581295H . 10.1098/rsos.181295 . 6170582 . 30839722.
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