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.
Artist's rendition of a Haast's eagle attacking two South Island giant moa
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, dogs, cats or pigs (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 extant 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]
All of these birds are in Neornithes .
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 )
An extinct order of giant flightless fowl .
The group that includes modern ducks and geese .
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
†Chendytes
Chendytes lawi (California and southern Oregon coasts and Channel Islands, East Pacific)
†Talpanas
Kauaʻ i mole duck, Talpanas lippa (Kauaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)
Extinct species of extant genera
Dendrocygninae – Whistling Ducks
Aitutaki whistling-duck , Dendrocygna sp. (Aitutaki, Cook Islands)
Anserinae
Biziurini – Musk Duck
Oxyurini
Anserini – Geese and Swans
Malacorhynchus
Branta
Nēnē-nui , Branta hylobadistes (Maui, possibly Kauaʻ i and Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Giant Hawaiʻ i goose, Branta rhuax (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands) – formerly in the monotypic genus Geochen
Anser
Cygnus
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 junior synonym of Anas castanea )
Anas schneideri Emslie 1985 (Late Pleistocene of Little Box Elder Cave, USA)[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. (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Long-legged shelduck , Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Kauaʻ i, 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 Caledonia 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
Phasianinae
Gulls , auks and shorebirds
Scolopacidae – waders and snipes
Scolopacinae – Dowitchers, Snipe, and Woodcocks
Extinct species of extant genera
Arenariinae – Turnstones and Stints
Extinct species of extant genera
Alcidae – Auks
Extinct species of extant genera
Laridae – Gulls
Extinct species of extant genera
The group that includes modern rails and cranes .
Rallidae – rails
†Capellirallus (syn. Gallirallus )
†Vitirallus (syn. Gallirallus )
†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 (ʻ Eua, 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 (Oʻ ahu, 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 (Oʻ ahu, 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. (Kauaʻ i, 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. (Kauaʻ i, 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)
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, and the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula)
Lava shearwater or Olson's shearwater, Puffinus olsoni (Canary Islands, E 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 an extant species
ʻEua shearwater , Puffinus sp. (ʻ Eua, Tonga)
ʻEua petrel , Puffinus sp. (ʻ Eua, Tonga)
Oʻahu petrel , Pterodroma jugabilis (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)[13] : 17–22
Canary Islands petrel , Pterodroma sp. (El Hierro, Canary Islands) – possibly an extirpated population of an extant 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 an extant species
Ciconiidae – storks
Extinct species of extant genera
The group that includes modern boobies , gannets and cormorants .
Phalacrocoracidae – cormorants and shags
Extinct species of extant genera
Serventy's cormorant, Microcarbo serventyorum (Western Australia)[15]
Madagascar cormorant , Phalacrocorax sp. (Madagascar)
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)
Ardeidae – herons
Extinct species of extant genera
Bennu heron , Ardea bennuides (United Arab Emirates)
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 ʻ Eua night heron
Mangaia night heron , Nycticorax sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
Placement unresolved
Ardeidae gen. et sp. indet. (Easter Island, E Pacific)
Threskiornithidae – ibises
†Apteribis
Maui highland ibis, Apteribis brevis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)[13] : 23–28
Molokaʻ i ibis, Apteribis glenos (Molokaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)[13] : 22–23
Maui lowland ibis, Apteribis sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
Lanai ibis, Apteribis sp. (Lanai, Hawaiian Islands)
†Xenicibis
†Teratornithidae – teratorns
†Teratornis
Merriam's teratorn, Teratornis merriami (southwestern and southeastern U.S.)
†Oscaravis
Cuban teratorn, Oscaravis olsoni (Cuba)
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
The group that includes modern flamingos .
Mesitornithidae – mesites
Extinct species of extant genera
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)
Cuculidae – cuckoos
Extinct species of extant genera
Henderson Island koel , Urodynamis cf. taitensis
Ancient coua , Coua primaeva (Madagascar)
Bertha's coua, Coua berthae (Madagascar)
Extinct subspecies of extant species
Conkling's greater roadrunner , Geococcyx californianus conklingi (inland SW North America)
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)[17]
Gracile goshawk , Accipiter quartus (New Caledonia, Melanesia)[17]
Accipiter sp. 1 (New Ireland, Melanesia)
Accipiter sp. 2 (New Ireland, Melanesia) – one of the two New Ireland species may be the extant Meyer's goshawk
Aquila sp. "large" (Madagascar)
Aquila sp. "small" (Madagascar)
Buteogallus borrasi (Cuba, West Indies)[18] – 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)[19]
Malagasy crowned eagle , Stephanoaetus mahery (Madagascar)[20]
Maltese vulture , Gyps meltensis (Malta)
Extinct subspecies of extant species
Swifts and hummingbirds .
Apodidae – swifts
Extinct species of extant genera
Hornbills and relatives. Formerly included in Coraciiformes .
Bucerotidae – hornbills
Extinct species of extant genera
Lifou hornbill , Rhyticeros ("Aceros" ) sp. (Lifou, Loyalty Islands)
Woodpeckers , puffbird and jacamars .
Picidae – woodpeckers
Extinct species of extant genera
Bermuda flicker , Colaptes oceanicus (Bermuda, West Atlantic) – known from Late Pleistocene and Holocene bones, but may have persisted until the 17th century[24]
Typical owls and barn owls.
Strigidae – typical 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
Placement unresolved
Strigidae gen. et sp. indet. (Ibiza, Mediterranean)
Tytonidae – barn owls
Extinct species of extant genera
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 extant ashy-faced owl (Tyto glaucops )[26]
Cuban dwarf barn owl , Tyto maniola (Cuba, West Indies)[26]
New Caledonian barn owl , ?Tyto letocarti (New Caledonia, Melanesia)[17]
Maltese barn owl , Tyto melitensis (Malta, Mediterranean) – possibly a paleosubspecies of, or synonymous with, the extant 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)
Falconidae – falcons
Extinct species of extant genera
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, San Miguel Island, California)
Caracara major (Uruguay)
Caracara seymouri (Peru, Ecuador)
Cuban caracara , Milvago carbo (Cuba, West Indies)
?Milvago sp. (Jamaica, West Indies)
Cuban kestrel , Falco kurochkini (Cuba, West Indies) – may have survived to the 17th century
Phalcoboenus napieri (Falkland Islands)
Placement unresolved
Psittaciformes gen. et sp. indet. (Rota, Marianas) – cf. Cacatua / Eclectus ?
Strigopidae – kakas and kakapos
Extinct species of extant genera
Chatham kākā , Nestor chathamensis (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
Cacatuidae – cockatoos
Extinct species of extant genera
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
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 an extant species
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 ?
Placement unresolved
Slender-billed Kauaʻ i passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kauaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)
Tiny Kauaʻ i passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kauaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)
Acanthisittidae – New Zealand wrens
†Pachyplichas
†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
High-billed crow , Corvus impluviatus (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Robust crow , Corvus viriosus (Oʻ ahu and Molokaʻ i, 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
ʻEua bush warbler , Horornis sp. (ʻ Eua, Tonga)
Zosteropidae – white-eyes
Placement unresolved
Tongan large white-eye , Zosteropidae gen. et sp. indet. (ʻ Eua, Tonga)
Guam large white-eye , Zosteropidae gen. et sp. indet. (Guam, Marianas)
Sturnidae – starlings
†Cryptopsar
Extinct species of extant genera
Huahine starling , Aplonis diluvialis (Huahine, Society Islands)
Erromango starling , Aplonis sp. (Erromango, Vanuatu)
Turdidae – thrushes
†Meridiocichla
Meridiocichla salotti (Corsica)
Extinct species of extant genera
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 (Oʻ ahu 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 (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Sickle-billed gaper , Aidemedia zanclops (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Maui Nui icterid-like gaper , Aidemedia lutetiae (Maui and Molokaʻ i, 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 (Kauaʻ i and Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Maui Nui finch , Telespiza ypsilon (Maui and Molokaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)
Maui finch , Telespiza cf. ypsilon (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
Kauaʻi palila , Loxioides kikuichi (Kauaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands) – possibly survived until the early 18th century
Scissor-billed koa finch , Rhodacanthis forfex (Kauaʻ i and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
Primitive koa finch , Rhodacanthis litotes (Oʻ ahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
Wahi grosbeak , Chloridops wahi (Oʻ ahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
King Kong grosbeak , Chloridops regiskongi (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Kauaʻi grosbeak , Chloridops sp. (Kauaʻ i, 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 (Kauaʻ i and Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Giant ʻakialoa , Akialoa sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
Akialoa sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
Stout-legged finch , Ciridops tenax (Kauaʻ i, Hawaiian Islands)
Molokaʻi ʻula-ʻai-hawane , Ciridops cf. anna (Molokaʻ i, 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. (Oʻ ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
Estrildidae – waxbills
Extinct species of extant genera
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, orioles and grackles
†Pandanaris
Extinct species of extant genera
Citations
Grealy, Alicia; Miller, Gifford H.; Phillips, Matthew J.; Clarke, Simon J.; Fogel, Marilyn; Patalwala, Diana; Rigby, Paul; Hubbard, Alysia; Demarchi, Beatrice; Collins, Matthew; Mackie, Meaghan; Sakalauskaite, Jorune; Stiller, Josefin; Clarke, Julia A.; Legendre, Lucas J. (2023-02-28). "Molecular exploration of fossil eggshell uncovers hidden lineage of giant extinct bird" . Nature Communications . 14 (1): 914. doi :10.1038/s41467-023-36405-3 . ISSN 2041-1723 . PMC 9974994 .
Miller, G. H.; Magee, J. W.; Johnson, B. J.; Fogel, M. L.; Spooner, N. A.; McCulloch, M. T.; Ayliffe, L. K. (1999-01-08). "Pleistocene Extinction of Genyornis newtoni : Human Impact on Australian Megafauna". Science . 283 (5399): 205–208. doi :10.1126/science.283.5399.205 . PMID 9880249 .
van Tets, G.F. (1994). "An extinct new species of cormorant (Phalacrocoracidae, Aves) from a Western Australian peat swamp". Records of the South Australian Museum . 27 (2): 135–138.
Rawlence, Nicolas J.; Till, Charlotte E.; Easton, Luke J.; Spencer, Hamish G.; Schuckard, Rob; Melville, David S.; Scofield, R. Paul; Tennyson, Alan J.D.; Rayner, Matt J.; Waters, Jonathan M.; Kennedy, Martyn (2017). "Speciation, range contraction and extinction in the endemic New Zealand King Shag complex" . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 115 : 197–209. doi :10.1016/j.ympev.2017.07.011 . PMID 28803756 .
Hailer, F., James, H.F., Olson, S.L., & Fleischer, R.C. (2015). Distinct and extinct: genetic differentiation of the Hawaiian eagle. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution , 83, 40-43
Goodman, Steven M. (1994). "Description of a new species of subfossil eagle from Madagascar: Stephanoaetus (Aves: Falconiformes) from the deposits of Ampasambazimba". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington (107): 421–428.
Millener, P. R. (December 1988). "Contributions to New Zealand's Late Quaternary avifauna. 1: Pachyplichas, a new genus of wren (Aves: Acanthisittidae), with two new species". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 18 (4): 383–406. doi :10.1080/03036758.1988.10426464 .
Millener, P. R.; Worthy, T.H. (1991). "Contributions to New Zealand's late Quaternary avifauna. II. Dendroscansor decurvirostris , a new genus and species of wren (Aves: Acanthisittidae)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 21 : 179–200. doi :10.1080/03036758.1991.10431406 .
Rando, J.C; Pieper, H.; Olson, Storrs L.; Pereira, F.; Alcover, J.A. (2017-06-27). "A new extinct species of large bullfinch (Aves: Fringillidae: Pyrrhula ) from Graciosa Island (Azores, North Atlantic Ocean)". Zootaxa . 4282 (3): 567. doi :10.11646/zootaxa.4282.3.9 . ISSN 1175-5334 .
General
Steadman, David William (2006): Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds . University of Chicago Press . ISBN 0-226-77142-3
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. ISBN 978-1-56098-683-6
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. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
Turvey, Samuel T. (edit.) (2009) Holocene Extinctions . Oxford University Press . ISBN 978-0-19-953509-5
Feduccia, Alan (1999) The Origin and Evolution of Birds . 2nd. Edit. Yale University Press . ISBN 978-0-300-07861-9
Olson, Storrs L.; 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. doi :10.2307/40166794 . hdl :10088/1745 . JSTOR 40166794 .
James, Helen F.; Olson, Storrs L (1991). "Descriptions of Thirty-Two New Species of Birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes" . Ornithological Monographs . 46 (46): 1–92. doi :10.2307/40166713 . hdl :10088/1745 . JSTOR 40166713 .