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|name=Passenger pigeon (extinct)

|name=Passenger pigeon

|image=Passenger Pigeon 062.jpg

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The '''passenger pigeon''' (''Ectopistes migratorius'') was a species of [[bird]], of the order Columbiformes, which once existed in the eastern part of North America.  Among the most numerous animals in history, its spectacular extinction at the hands of man raised awareness for wildlife conservation, and better protections for threatened species.

The '''passenger pigeon''' (''Ectopistes migratorius'') was a species of [[bird]], of the order Columbiformes, which once existed in the eastern part of North America.  Among the most numerous animals in history, its spectacular extinction at the hands of man raised awareness for wildlife conservation, and better protections for threatened species.

==Extinction==

==Extinction==

in the late 1890's, state lawmakers passed laws calling for a ten-year moratorium on pigeon hunting; some passed laws calling for penalties against hunters.  By then it was too late.  In addition to over-hunting and the loss of woodland habitat, the pigeons fell victim to their own breeding habits: they could not successfully breed unless they were in large flocks.  Rewards were offered for the collection of live pigeons to supplement the few in captivity; however, there was still some price on the heads of those needed for for food.  The last confirmed passenger pigeons in the wild were shot at Babcock, Wisconsin in 1899, and in Pike County, Ohio on March 24, 1900.  

In the late 1890's, state lawmakers passed laws calling for a ten-year moratorium on pigeon hunting; some passed laws calling for penalties against hunters.  By then it was too late.  In addition to over-hunting and the loss of woodland habitat, the pigeons fell victim to their own breeding habits: they could not successfully breed unless they were in large flocks.  Rewards were offered for the collection of live pigeons to supplement the few in captivity; however, there was still some price on the heads of those needed for for food.  The last confirmed passenger pigeons in the wild were shot at Babcock, Wisconsin in 1899, and in Pike County, Ohio on March 24, 1900.  

This left three in captivity, all in Cincinnati, two males, and a female named Martha.  She out-lived the others by a number of years before dying at 1:00 pm on September 1, 1914.  A $1,000 reward offered by the zoo for a mate went unclaimed.  

This left three in captivity, all in Cincinnati, two males, and a female named Martha.  She out-lived the others by a number of years before dying at 1:00 pm on September 1, 1914.  A $1,000 reward offered by the zoo for a mate went unclaimed.