Extinct Birds

The number of species of extinct birds has slowly been rising over the years, due to the culmination of many factors like climate change, habitat disruption and hunting. Birds are truly beautiful creatures, and there are hundreds of thousands of bird species that grace our planet. But over a period of time, more and more cases of extinct birds are being reported and we are slowly beginning to lose some of the most colorful and unique bird species. The different types of birds that can be found around the world are simply breathtaking, but the threat that faces them is real.

It has been noted that in the last 300 odd years, about 42 species and 44 sub-species of birds have become extinct. The habits of mankind has led to some of these species getting extinct at an unnatural pace, and it would be impossible to reform the entire world's population in order to avoid this situation. Once we see the extinct birds list the implications of this situation become clearer.

Today there are around 10,000 species of birds on the planet, and about 1,500 of these species are facing the very real and distinct possibility of extinction. To avoid this situation from getting worse, we need to stand up and take notice, and raise our voices against the perpetrators. It is our fault that this situation has gotten out of hand, and the solution also lies in our hand.

Extinct Birds of the World
The most common name that comes to mind when we speak of extinct birds is the dodo. This was a large flightless bird found in Madagascar. Hunting and severe disruption of habitat has forced this species into extinction, and they cannot be found on the face of this planet anymore.

The islands off the coast of Madagascar, also contained some other unique bird species. Around 28 bird species were known to exist on these islands, and now there are only 4 or 5 of those species remaining. The other species are all extinct. As human civilization grows and advances, we need to take care of our planet and all the life forms that inhabit it, but so far we are failing in this regard. The extinct bird dodo is a symbolic representation of this overwhelming failure, and it makes lovers of bird watching around the world cringe in discomfort and displeasure.

Some other extinct birds of the world are as follows.

• Carolina Parakeet
• Solitaire
• Great Auk
• Labrador Duck
• Passenger Pigeon
• Heath Hen
• Black Mamo
• Kipi
• The Great Toothed Diver
• Phororhacos
• Giant Moa
• Dinornis Maximus

There are many other species as well that are a part of the extinct birds list, and they just go to show the reckless and ruthless nature of human beings.

Extinct Birds of Hawaii
About 6 species and 4 sub-species of birds have been known to enter extinction in the islands of Hawaii in the last 100-200 years or so. The rapid commercialization and tourism in these islands has made the entire natural habitat alter completely, and sadly, some species of birds have been unable to deal with this change. Some of the extinct birds of Hawaii are as follows.

• Laysan Rail
• Lanai Thrush
• Moloka'i Thrush
• Laysan Millerbird
• Bishop's O'o
• Hawai'i O'o
• Kaua'i 'Akialoa
• Kakawahie
• Lanai Creeper

Hawaii is one of the most seriously hit areas as far as extinct birds are concerned. It is said that about 30% of extinct birds, in the last 100 years, were found primarily in Hawaii. The rate of disruption of the natural habitat is devastatingly intense there.

Human beings are duty-bound to protect different endangered species of birds and animals and prevent them from getting extinct. It is the fault of us human beings that these creatures are facing this dilemma in the first place, and as a result it is primarily our responsibility to ensure that no more species of birds face extinction. Extinct birds are a blemish on our track record as keepers of the planet, and this is a tag that we need to start living up to with immediate urgency.