EXTINCT BIRDS BY SEAN AND CALEB

Introduction Today you will go back in time to see extinct birds. Most of them were either hunted to extinction or had a lack of habitat. These are all animals that have been forgotten because of their death.

THE DODO BIRD The dodo bird was a flightless bird that is now extinct. They became extinct because people hunted it till it was extinct. It was extinct by 1681. The Mauritius dodo used to live on the island of Mauritius. It lived in the forests there. Its name comes from the Portuguese word duodo meaning silly or stupid. They were about the size of a turkey. The dodo was first sighted it in 1598 by Dutch explorers who characterized it as a sluggish bird that is not afraid of humans.

St. Helena hoopoe The St. Helena Hoopoe’s habitat and is in woodlands and dry savannas of St. Helena. They became extinct by 1940. They were named for making sounds like hoo-hoo and its neck puffs out when it does this. When it’s alarmed, it makes a quiet chattering sound and flashes its head crest. They measure about 31cm (around twelve inches). It is cinnamon in color. When they’re dating the male chases the female, brings her food and shows her nesting sites. After the chicks are 26 to 32 days old the chicks are ready to leave the nest but they stay with their parents for several more weeks.

moa The Moa is a ostrich like bird that became extinct in 1769 when captain James Cook came to the island. It could grow up to 1m high or 4m for a full grown Moa. They most lack in wings not like ostriches. In this photo it shows a picture of the moa. If it was to be alive today, it would be a extraordinary discovery to man obviously because of its height.

Passenger pigeon The passenger pigeon is related to the common pigeon. Passenger pigeons migrate to the south in the winter. The first settlers to move west found the pigeons as a endless source of food and feathers. By 1850 the railroad tracks extended which allowed the people to ship the meat to the market before it spoiled. In 1880 the numbers of their decrease became irreversible. Some efforts were made to breed them in captivity but there was little success. The last known passenger pigeon died in Cincinnati Zoological Garden in 1914. It was slate blue on the back and head. They also had a russet breast and white abdomen. The female's colors were more gentle.

Great Auk The Great Auk was extinct in 1852. The last one was sighted in Newfoundland. It was extinct due to being hunted till extinction by man. The Great Auk was 75-85 cm in height and 5kg [11lb]. Their eyes had a reddish brown iris. The Great Auks numbers went down because of the little ice age. the Great Auk was a member of the alcidae family.

LABRADOR DUCK The Labrador duck was thought to be the first bird to be extinct in North America. The extinction of the duck was unexplained although, people hunted it, it tasted bad. It was also called the pied duck. The duck had a diet of mollusc and its bill was modified then other ducks. But its eggs might have been other harvest that resulted.

CREDITS! With a special thanks to Wikipedia, msn Encarta, Extinct animals of the islands and Google.