List of recently extinct birds

This page refers only to birds that have gone extinct since the year 1500 and usually were subject to scientific study while alive.
For a list of early taxa of birds known only from fossils, see List of fossil birds. For birds extinct in Late Quaternary prehistoric times and usually known from specimens not completely fossilized, see Late Quaternary prehistoric birds.

Since 1500, over 190 species of birds have become extinct, and this rate of extinction seems to be increasing. The situation is exemplified by Hawaii, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird taxa originally lived. Other areas, such as Guam, have also been hit hard; Guam has lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the last 30 years, many of them due to the introduced brown tree snake.

Currently there are approximately 10,000 species of birds, with an estimated 1,200 considered to be under threat of extinction.

Island species in general, and flightless island species in particular are most at risk. The disproportionate number of rails in the list 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; these taxa are listed in Late Quaternary prehistoric birds.

The extinction dates given below are usually approximations of the actual date of extinction. In some cases, more exact dates are given as it is sometimes possible to pinpoint the date of extinction to a specific year or even day (the San Benedicto rock wren is possibly the most extreme example—its extinction could be timed with an accuracy of maybe half an hour). Extinction dates in the literature are usually the dates of the last verified record (credible observation or specimen taken); in many Pacific birds which became extinct shortly after European contact, however, this leaves an uncertainty period of over a century because the islands on which they used to occur were only rarely visited by scientists.

Painting of a dodo, with a red parrot on its left side, and a blue one at its right
The famous "Edwards' Dodo", painted by Roelant Savery in 1626

Extinct bird species

Struthioniformes

Kangaroo Island emu

The ostrich and related ratites

Anseriformes

Labrador duck

Ducks, geese and swans

Galliformes

New Zealand quail

Quails and relatives
See also Bokaak "bustard" under Gruiformes below

Charadriiformes

Great auk (Pinguinus impennis), Natural History Museum, London, England

Shorebirds, gulls and auks

Gruiformes

Rails and allies - probably paraphyletic

Podicipediformes

Grebes

Ciconiiformes

Herons and related birds - possibly paraphyletic

Pelecaniformes

Cormorants and related birds

Procellariiformes

Petrels, shearwaters, albatrosses and storm petrels.

Sphenisciformes

Penguins

Columbiformes

Male passenger pigeon

Pigeons, doves and dodos
For the "Réunion solitaire", see Réunion sacred ibis.

Psittaciformes

Parrots

Mounted specimen of Conuropsis carolinensis, Museum Wiesbaden, Germany

Cuculiformes

Cuckoos

Falconiformes

Birds of prey

Strigiformes

Laughing owl

Typical owls and barn-owls.

Caprimulgiformes

Caprimulgidae - nightjars and nighthawks
Reclusive ground-nesting birds that sally out at night to hunt for large insects and similar prey. They are easily located by the males' song, but this is not given all year. Habitat destruction represents currently the biggest threat, while island populations are threatened by introduced mammalian predators, notably dogs, cats, pigs and mongoose.

Apodiformes

Swifts and hummingbirds

Coraciiformes

Kingfishers and related birds

Piciformes

Woodpeckers and related birds

Passeriformes

Perching birds

The Stephens Island wren, victim of feral cats

Acanthisittidae– New Zealand "wrens"

Formicariidae – antpittas and antthrushes

Mohoidae – Hawaiian "honeyeaters". Family established in 2008, previously in Meliphagidae.

Meliphagidae – honeyeaters and Australian chats

Acanthizidae – scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones

Pachycephalidae – whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies

Dicruridae – monarch flycatchers and allies

†Turnagridae – piopios

Callaeidae – New Zealand wattlebirds

Male (front) and female (back) Huia

Hirundinidae – swallows and martins

Acrocephalidae – marsh and tree warblers

Muscicapidae – Old World flycatchers and chats

Megaluridae – megalurid warblers or grass warblers

Cisticolidae – cisticolas and allies

Zosteropidae – white-eyes - probably belonging to Timaliidae

Timaliidae – Old World babblers

Pycnonotidae – bulbuls

Sylvioidea incertae sedis

Sturnidae – starlings

Hoopoe starling

Turdidae – thrushes and allies

Mimidae – mockingbirds and thrashers

Estrildidae– estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc.)

Icteridae – grackles

Parulidae – New World warblers

Ploceidae – weavers

Fringillidae – true finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers

Emberizidae – buntings and American sparrow

(Probably) extinct subspecies of birds

Extinction of subspecies is a subject very dependent on guesswork. National and international conservation projects and research publications such as redlists usually focus on species as a whole. Reliable information on the status of threatened subspecies usually has to be assembled piecemeal from published observations such as regional checklists. Therefore, the following listing contains a high proportion of taxa that may still exist, but are listed here due to any combination of absence of recent records, a known threat such as habitat destruction, or an observed decline.

Struthioniformes

The ostrich and related ratites

The last record of this ostrich subspecies was a bird found dead in Jordan in 1966.
An emu subspecies: the last wild bird was collected in 1845. The subspecies may have persisted in captivity until 1884.
A doubtfully distinct little spotted kiwi subspecies

Tinamiformes

Tinamous

Variously considered a red-legged tinamou subspecies or a distinct species, this bird is currently only known with certainty from the 1943 type specimen. An additional specimen exists (or existed), but its present whereabouts is unknown. Recent research suggest it is still extant, and there was a likely – although as yet unconfirmed – record near the type locality by Colombian ornithologist Oswaldo Cortés in late 2008.

Anseriformes

Ducks, geese and swans

A subspecies of the cackling goose (formerly "lesser Canada goose") which is doubtfully distinct from the Aleutian one.
A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the Sunda teal, which disappeared due to predation on young birds by introduced tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.
A yellow-billed pintail subspecies that has not been recorded since the 1950s.
A subspecies of the cinnamon teal 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 be extinct by 1956.
This subspecies of the gadwall was discovered in 1874 and has not been recorded since, with none found by a 1924 expedition from Honolulu's Bishop Museum.

Galliformes

Quails and relatives

A subspecies of the grey partridge whose validity has been questioned; the last purebred individuals disappeared during the late 1980s due to hybridization with introduced birds.
A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the black francolin.
Another doubtfully distinct black francolin subspecies.
A subspecies of the greater prairie-chicken or possibly a distinct species.
Sharp-tailed grouse subspecies last recorded in Colfax County in 1952.
A subspecies of the helmeted guineafowl. 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

Shorebirds, gulls and auks

The doubtfully distinct nominate subspecies of the Tuamotu sandpiper, sometimes considered a distinct species, but only known from a painting.
The nominate subspecies of the small buttonquail has been considered likely extinct, having last been recorded in Spain in 1981. However, it was confirmed extant with the discovery of a population in Morocco in 2007.
A small buttonquail subspecies. It has not been recorded since the 1950s, but there have been few surveys and it is likely to persist.
A subspecies of the painted buttonquail that has been variously considered anything from a hybrid between introduced species to a full species. Plentiful subfossil bones indicate that it was indeed a good endemic form. The last specimen was taken in 1912 and surveys since have failed to record it.

Gruiformes

Rails and allies - probably paraphyletic

A yellow rail subspecies that has not been recorded since 1964 and lost much of its wetland habitat.
Buff-banded rail subspecies.
Reports of the former occurrence of the species on Raoul seem plausible enough, but they may relate to vagrant individuals of another buff-banded rail subspecies.
A subspecies of the Bogota rail which is known from a single specimen collected in the 1880s. It may still be extant.
A subspecies of Lewin's rail not recorded since 1932 despite multiple surveys in the late 20th century.
A white-throated rail subspecies.
The uniform crake's nominate subspecies declined rapidly to extinction following the introduction of the small Asian mongoose to Jamaica in 1872.
A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the bare-eyed rail known from a single specimen, c. mid-19th century, from the Solomon Islands or New Ireland. The taxon may be extant.
A subspecies of Baillon's crake known from a single 1912 specimen and not found since; may be extinct, but species is hard to find.
A subspecies of the Arabian bustard. Last observed in 1993 at Lac Merzouga/Lac Tamezguidat.
A subspecies of the sarus crane which is not always accepted as valid, possibly because the specimens have not been thoroughly studied since it was described.

Ciconiiformes

Herons and related birds - possibly paraphyletic

A nankeen night heron subspecies.
A subspecies of the olive ibis, or (as B. bocagei rothschildi) the São Tomé ibis if this is considered a distinct species. It was unrecorded through most of the 20th century and has been considered extinct, but was recorded on multiple occasions in the 1990s and should now be considered extant.

Pteroclidiformes

Sandgrouses

This subspecies of the chestnut-bellied sandgrouse was last recorded in 1979 and is likely to have gone extinct since.

Columbiformes

Pigeons, doves and dodos

A subspecies of the wood pigeon.
Japanese wood pigeon subspecies thought to have gone extinct in the 1980s, but there have been recent reports and photographs and the taxon is now considered extant, though very rare.
Metallic pigeon subspecies last recorded in 1853, and almost certainly extinct by 1869.
This subspecies of the metallic pigeon is only known from a footnote in John Latham's General History of Birds, and seems to have died out some time before 1800; possibly, the location is erroneous and the note really refers to the extant population on Fiji.
This subspecies of the Malagasy turtle dove persisted until at least 1974, after which it was hybridised out of existence through breeding with the introduced nominate subspecies.
A subspecies of the Luzon bleeding-heart known from a single specimen collected in 1971. There have been recent reports of the taxon and as much of its forest habitat remains it is likely to be extant.
A subspecies of the Mindanao bleeding-heart, it was last reported in 1925 and given the massive habitat destruction is likely extinct.
A subspecies of the white-breasted ground dove or possibly a distinct species. Known from only 4 specimens, there are no recent records and the local population report it has disappeared.
The Central Tuamotu subspecies of the Polynesian ground dove, often referred to as G. e. pectoralis, disappeared at an undetermined date, but might still exist on some unsurveyed atolls. The identity of northern Tuamotu populations, possibly still extant, is undetermined.
Crimson-crowned fruit dove subspecies of doubtful validity. Known from a single specimen collected in 1859, it is not certain whether this bird actually occurred on Ebon. All that can be said is that this subspecies is no longer found anywhere.
A subspecies of the lilac-crowned fruit dove, known only from the description of a now-lost specimen. the prehistorically extinct population on Mangaia is likely to belong to another distinct subspecies too.
Spotted imperial pigeon subspecies not recorded since the 1950s.
A subspecies of the kererū 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.
Another undescribed subspecies (or possibly species) of the kererū, known from bones and a brief report.

Psittaciformes

Parrots

The nominate subspecies of the red-and-blue lory was hybridized out of existence by escaped trade individuals of the subspecies talautensis, the last purebred individuals disappearing in the 1990s or even much earlier.
Formerly recognized as a distinct species, 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.
A supposed subspecies of the red and blue lory, but probably invalid.
Red-crowned parakeet subspecies last recorded in 1890 and not found by surveys in 1894.
Red-crowned parakeet subspecies.
Known only from a painting and descriptions; if it is accepted as valid, it would become the nominate subspecies of the Mauritius parakeet, extant on Mauritius, which would then have to be called P. eques echo.
A subspecies of the colasisi or Philippine hanging parrot, either very rare or already extinct.
A weakly differentiated subspecies of the Hispaniolan parakeet.
A subspecies of the brown-throated parakeet known from only two specimens collected in 1949 and of unclear taxonomical and conservation status.
A weakly differentiated subspecies of the Puerto Rican amazon which is itself highly endangered.

Cuculiformes

Cuckoos

Crested coua subspecies, known only from a single specimen taken in 1950. It may be a hybrid, but if not it is probably extinct.
A Madagascar coucal subspecies last recorded in 1906. It is often considered synonymous with the Aldabra form insularis, which has since recolonized Assumption Island.
A weakly differentiated and probably invalid subspecies of the groove-billed ani.
Rufous-vented ground cuckoo subspecies.

Falconiformes

Birds of prey

Considered either a subspecies of the red kite, a distinct species, or a hybrid between red and black kites, the validity of this taxon has recently being 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.
The nominate subspecies of the Nicobar sparrowhawk– which is currently listed as vulnerable– is 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.
Peregrine falcon subspecies from the Ogasawara Islands. No sightings since 1945. A survey in 1982 failed to find this bird. Only known from Iwo Jima and Torishima.

Strigiformes

Typical owls and barn-owls

A subspecies of the reddish scops owl. Known from a single questionable specimen and may not be valid.
A subspecies of the Puerto Rican screech owl of somewhat doubtful validity which occurred on several of the Virgin Islands, West Indies. The last reliable records are in 1860; there were a number of unconfirmed reports during the 20th century, but it was not found in thorough surveys in 1995.
A subspecies of the elf owl. Officially listed as critically endangered, the last specimen was taken in 1932, but there apparently still was a large population in 1958; it was not found by subsequent searches and appears to be extinct.
Burrowing owl subspecies last collected in 1890 and extinct by 1903.
Burrowing owl subspecies.
Southern boobook subspecies last recorded in the 1950s.
Individuals of the nominate subspecies 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 individual of N. n. undulata, a female named Miamiti died in 1996, though individuals descended from her remain.
Doubtfully distinct from nominate subspecies, but differed behaviorally.
Subspecies of lesser masked owl. Last recorded in 1921; the identity of a similar bird found on Seram remains to be determined. Seems to survive as an owl matching this bird's description was encountered in August 2006.
Subspecies of Sulawesi owl or separate species. Possibly extant, but only specimen known taken in 1938 and no further records.
Subspecies of Oriental bay owl or possibly distinct species. Taxonomy doubtful but only specimen lost in 1945 bombing raid so validity cannot be verified; no population exists on Samar today.

Caprimulgiformes

Nightjars and allies

This distinct subspecies of the white-throated nightjar is possibly a separate species. It was found only once; due to its cryptic habits, it possibly still exists, but this is now considered unlikely.

Apodiformes

Swifts and hummingbirds

This subspecies of the indigo-capped hummingbird is only known from a specimen collected in Costa Rica in 1895. It is likely to have gone extinct since
Juan Fernández firecrown subspecies last recorded in 1908.
The nominate subspecies of Whitehead's swiftlet is only known from four specimens collected at Mount Data in 1895. From the lack of further records and the massive habitat destruction, it is usually considered extinct. Given the size of the island, it might still exist though.

Coraciiformes

Kingfishers and related birds

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 Talaud Islands also, but this is erroneous.
There exist reports of locals that kingfishers– probably a subspecies of the chattering kingfisher which is found on neighboring islands, but possibly vagrants from there– were found until around 1979, and there is a last record from 1984. Presently, no kingfishers are known to exist on Rarotonga.
Only known from a single 1844 specimen, the nominate subspecies of the Tuamotu kingfisher was not found anymore when it was next searched for in 1922.
This subspecies of the Micronesian kingfisher became extinct in the wild in 1986 when 29 birds were taken for a captive breeding programme, which is ongoing. Its decline was caused by the depredations of introduced brown tree snakes.
Previously considered as full species but better regarded as subspecies of the Micronesian kingfisher Todiramphus cinnamominus. Only seen once by scientists, in 1887; the specimen taken is somewhat damaged, making identification by other than molecular analysis difficult. It is now thought likely that the specimen came from Guam, where the nominate subspecies was distributed, rather than Miyako, which would make this subspecies invalid.
The nominate subspecies of the blue-banded kingfisher; the last specimen was taken in 1937 and the taxon has been considered extinct, but it was mist-netted five times in 2000-2001 at Halimun National Park, which has not undergone much change since.
Little kingfisher subspecies
This subspecies of the Madagascar pygmy kingfisher is only known from one specimen taken in 1974 in an area where most habitat had already been lost. However there have been records of the species (uncertain subspecies) from near the type locality, suggesting it is likely to be extant.
A subspecies of the Visayan hornbill of somewhat uncertain status– possibly a distinct species, possibly a color morph– the last confirmed report was in 1971 and it became extinct shortly thereafter.

Piciformes

Woodpeckers and related birds

A West Indian woodpecker subspecies of somewhat uncertain validity.
The nominate subspecies of the buff-rumped woodpecker became rare during the 19th century due to destruction of habitat. The last confirmed record was in 1880, and it is now considered at least very rare.
A subspecies of the red-shafted flicker (or the northern flicker, as C. auratus rufipileus), it was last recorded in 1906 and not found anymore in 1911 and 1922. Recently, vagrant birds of a mainland subspecies have begun recolonizing the island as the habitat improves after the removal of feral goats.
The nominate subspecies of the white-mantled barbet has been considered extinct, but has been recorded recently.
Another subspecies of the White-mantled barbet also considered extinct by some sources but confirmed extant by researchers in Colombia.
A subspecies of the brown jacamar, or possibly a hybrid, color morph or full species. Might survive as it is only known from a remote and seldom visited area.
Only known by 3 specimens collected before 1900.

Passeriformes

Perching birds

Pittidae – pittas

A subspecies of the black-faced pitta. Once common on Bougainville; not recorded since 1938, but likely to have been overlooked.
Another subspecies of the black-faced pitta. Not found during recent searches; doubtful records from nearby islands. Also may have been overlooked by observers.

Tyrannidae – tyrant flycatchers

A bearded tachuri subspecies or possibly a distinct species that has not been recorded for some time and is now extinct.
A subspecies of Euler's flycatcher, formerly known as Empidonax euleri johnstonei. It has not been recorded since the 1950s.
A subspecies of vermilion flycatcher, described as extremely rare by David W. Steadman in the 1980s and not found despite a six-month survey in 1998. Sometimes considered as full species.

Furnariidae – ovenbirds

A subspecies of the scale-throated earthcreeper, it is only known from 2 specimens taken in the early 1950s at Puno, Peru, and has never been found since. It may well persist as there is no obvious reason why it should have become extinct.
A stripe-crowned spinetail subspecies known from a few specimens and not recorded since the 1950s; may be endangered or possibly extinct.

Formicariidae – antpittas and antthrushes

A giant antpitta (or possibly great antpitta) subspecies apparently not recorded since the 1940s. Might still survive in Puracé National Natural Park, where there is plentiful habitat remaining.
A brown-banded antpitta subspecies recently described from a specimen collected in 1878. It has not been recorded since despite surveys at a number of likely locations.

Maluridae – Australasian "wrens"

Thick-billed grasswren subspecies. The last record was a clutch of eggs taken in 1936.
Another thick-billed grasswren subspecies, last recorded in 1886.
Western grasswren subspecies, last collected in 1910 and since extinct.

Pardalotidae – pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones

Rufous bristlebird subspecies not recorded since 1940, despite a number of surveys since, beginning in the 1970s.
A brown thornbill subspecies which has only been recorded c.10 times since its discovery and considered extinct by some sources. The latest record comes from 2002, suggesting a population is likely to be extant but very rare.

Petroicidae – Australasian "robins"

Subspecies of the hooded robin, last observed in 1992 and not found in exhaustive searches later in the 1990s.

Cinclosomatidae – whipbirds and allies

A subspecies of the spotted quail-thrush, last recorded in 1983 and not found in a survey the following year.

Artamidae – woodswallows, currawongs and allies

This pied currawong subspecies has been swamped by other subspecies, which probably came into contact following habitat destruction in the 1830s. The last certainly distinct individuals were recorded in 1927.

Monarchidae – monarch flycatchers

A subspecies of the celestial monarch, not uncommon on Negros in 1959, but not recorded since. A single Sibuyan specimen from an unspecified locality taken in the 19th century is the only record for this island.
Marquesas monarch nominate subspecies, which was very rare by 1974 and not found during multiple surveys in the 1990s.

Rhipiduridae – fantails

New Zealand fantail subspecies that was considered virtually extinct in 1924 and not found by surveys four years later.
Rufous fantail subspecies, a conspicuous bird which has not been recorded since 1984.

Campephagidae – cuckoo-shrikes and trillers

Bar-bellied cuckooshrike subspecies not recorded since its collection in 1906.
A subspecies of the cicadabird known from a single specimen collected in 1931; quite possibly just a vagrant individual.
A blackish cuckooshrike subspecies; could be extant as the birds are rather unmistakable and a 1999 record therefore likely to be valid, though surveys since then have failed to find it/
Another blackish cuckooshrike subspecies, described from specimens collected in 1971, but apparently not seen since. As few ornithologists have visited Marinduque and forest remains on the island, it is thought likely to remain extant.
A subspecies of the long-tailed triller, possibly a distinct species.

Oriolidae – orioles and figbird

Dark-throated oriole subspecies not confirmed since 1906, though there were unconfirmed reports around 2001 suggesting a possibility of survival.

Corvidae – crows, ravens, magpies and jays

A distinct local variety of the Icelandic subspecies of the common raven.

Callaeidae – New Zealand wattlebirds

The species of the kōkako is usually considered extinct, as it has not been reliably recorded since 1967. However, recent reports from Fiordland suggest a population could exist.

Regulidae – kinglets

A subspecies of the ruby-crowned kinglet that has not been recorded since 1953.

Hirundinidae – swallows and martins

The nominate subspecies of the golden swallow, endemic to Jamaica. The last major roost-site was destroyed in 1987, and the last confirmed sighting was in 1989. May still exist in the Cockpit Country.

Phylloscopidae – phylloscopid warblers or leaf-warblers

A subspecies of the Canary Islands chiffchaff, it was probably extinct by 1986.

Cettiidae – cettiid warblers or typical bush-warblers

Timor stubtail subspecies that has been considered extinct but was recorded as common on Babar in 2009 and 2011.
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 to survive. Placement in Cettiidae requires confirmation.

Acrocephalidae – acrocephalid warblers or marsh- and tree warblers

Usually considered a subspecies of the Tahiti reed warbler. Last reliable sighting was in 1981. Survey in 1986/1987 remained unsuccessful. A photograph of a warbler from Moorea in 1998 or 1999 taken by Philippe Bacchet remains uncertain, as do reports from 2003 and 2010.
Oral tradition and some early reports mention a bird called 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 distant but related species of reed warbler.[2]
Millerbird nominate subspecies
A poorly known subspecies of the Tahiti reed warbler. Specimens were collected in the late 1800s, but the Whitney Expedition in 1921 found none.

Pycnonotidae – bulbuls

A subspecies of the blue-wattled bulbul known from a single 1937 specimen. The entire "species" may be a hybrid.

Cisticolidae – cisticolas and allies

The nominate subspecies of the white-winged apalis remains known only from the Tana River, a center of endemism. It was last recorded in 1961.

Sylviidae – sylviid ("true") warblers and parrotbills

A subspecies of the long-legged warbler; it was only found once, but there was an unconfirmed sighting in 1990 suggesting it is likely to remain extant. Placement in Sylviidae doubtful.
A doubtfully distinct Sardinian warbler subspecies. It has not been recorded since 1939.

Zosteropidae – white-eyes. Probably belong into Timaliidae

Bridled white-eye nominate subspecies or possibly monotypic species. Last recorded in 1983.
Bonin white-eye ("Bonin honeyeater") subspecies not recorded since its last specimen was collected in 1930.

Timaliidae – Old World babblers

An enigmatic subspecies of the Horsfield's babbler, known from a single specimen. Not seen since the 1940s at the latest.
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 in 1994 it is considered likely to persist.

"African warblers"

A subspecies of the white-browed crombec, sometimes listed as a separate species. Restricted to the Lendu Plateau, it is probably rare, though unsurveyed forest remains where it is likely to persist.

Sylvioidea incertae sedis

Bearded reedling subspecies, which has been considered extinct owing to the drainage of Lake Amik Gölü, but is still extant in the area.

Troglodytidae – wrens

A subspecies of the rock wren which became extinct around 9 AM, August 1, 1952, when its island habitat was devastated by a massive volcanic eruption.
Bewick's wren subspecies. An extinction date of "1903" seems to be in error; the last unquestionable record is dates from 1897 and a thorough search in 1901 failed to find it.
Another Bewick's wren subspecies, last recorded in 1941.
A disputed Eurasian wren subspecies; as it is known from a single specimen that may have been a vagrant individual, it is possibly invalid.
Found in 1914, 1969 and the 1970s; now very rare or already extinct. Taxonomy unresolved. Part of the house wren complex; other scientific names include T. musculus guadeloupensis and T. guadeloupensis
Last found in 1886. Another house wren complex taxon; other scientific names include T. musculus martinicensis and T. martinicensis.

Paridae – tits, chickadees and titmice

A varied tit subspecies, variously placed in genus Sittiparus and Parus also. Last recorded in 1938 and not found in subsequent surveys in 1984 and 1986.
A coal tit subspecies, only known by the type specimen from 1870.

Cinclidae – dippers

A subspecies of the white-throated dipper of questionable validity. It became extinct in 1945.

Muscicapidae – Old World flycatchers and chats

A henna-tailed jungle flycatcher subspecies that is known from a single specimen; it may not be valid.
Canary Islands stonechat subspecies.

Turdidae – thrushes and allies

Island thrush subspecies last seen in 1975.
Another subspecies of the island thrush, last collected in 1911 or 1912 and not found anymore in 1939.
Yet another island thrush subspecies, last recorded in 1913 and extinct by 1928.
Yet another subspecies of the island thrush. birds surviving on Tanna, New Hebrides, are presently considered the same subspecies. However, given the fact that the species readily differentiates into subspecies and that the distance between Tanna and Lifou is considerable, these birds may belong to a different subspecies, in which case the Lifou thrush would be considered extinct.
Red-and-black thrush nominate subspecies; little known.
A black-eared ground thrush subspecies known only from two 1966 specimens. Likely to survive in suitable habitat but could be already extinct.
A subspecies of the russet-tailed thrush known from a single specimen found in 1924. It could have been killed off by introduced cats, but the island is poorly known and so it should not be presumed extinct.
A subspecies of the forest thrush. It has been thought extinct, but the taxon was recorded at Des Chassin in 2007.
A subspecies of the Cuban solitaire. The last confirmed records were in the 1930s, with unconfirmed reports in the early 1970s.

Mimidae – mockingbirds and thrashers

Scaly-breasted thrasher subspecies last recorded in 1987. Most of its range has been searched since then with no records.

Estrildidae – Estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc.)

A subspecies of the star finch; last recorded in 1995 and not found during searches later in the 1990s. Not known to survive in captivity.

Fringillidae – True finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers

House finch subspecies.
A subspecies of the Maui ʻalauahio (or properly Maui Nui ʻalauahio). Last recorded in 1937 and certainly extinct by 1960.
Dusky seaside sparrow

Icteridae – grackles

A subspecies of the Jamaican oriole, last recorded in 1967.

Parulidae – New World warblers

The nominate subspecies of the Bahama yellowthroat is either almost or completely extinct.

Thraupidae – tanagers

A western chat-tanager subspecies last recorded in 1977 and probably extinct.
An eastern chat-tanager subspecies; the last (unconfirmed?) record was in 1982 and concerted efforts to find it since have failed.
A doubtful subspecies of the large ground finch collected by Charles Darwin in 1835; he gave no precise locality. A similar bird was found in 1957, but no others have ever been seen.
Puerto Rican bullfinch subspecies.

Emberizidae – buntings and American sparrows

Rufous-crowned sparrow subspecies, once common but not recorded during surveys in the 1970s or since.
Seaside sparrow subspecies, last recorded in the wild in 1980.
Spotted towhee subspecies

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Chilton, Glen (2009): The Curse of the Labrador Duck: My Obsessive Quest to the Edge of Extinction. Simon and Schuster, ISBN 1-43910247-3.
  2. 1 2 Spennemann (2006)
  3. ↑ nzetc.org

References

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