About 216 species of birds have become extinct since 1500, with increasing extinction rates due to human-caused influences such as habitat loss, the introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Currently there are approximately 10,000 living species of birds, with over 1,480 at risk of extinction and 223 critically endangered. Island species in general, and flightless island species in particular, are most at risk. The situation is exemplified by Hawaii, where 30% of all known recently extinct bird taxa originally lived, and Guam, which lost over 60% of its native bird taxa in the decades following the introduction of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis). The disproportionate number of extinctions in rails 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. The extinction dates given below are usually the dates of the last verified record (credible observation or specimen taken), which are approximations of the actual date of extinction. For many Pacific birds that became extinct shortly after European colonization, however, this leaves an uncertainty period of over 100 years, because the islands on which they lived were only rarely visited by scientists. In certain unusual cases, it is possible to pinpoint the date of extinction to a specific year or even day; the San Benedicto rock wren represents an extreme example where its extinction could be timed with an accuracy of maybe half an hour coinciding with the eruption of Bárcena. The year 1500 serves as one common threshold of the "modern" era in which species are described scientifically, extinctions are monitored, and globalization has led to increased pressure on species. Taxa which became extinct pre-1500 are listed in List of Late Quaternary prehistoric bird species; prominent examples include the elephant birds (Aepyornis) and moa.
Extinct bird species
Casuariidae Cassowaries, emus Dromaius
Kangaroo Island emu, Dromaius baudinianus (Kangaroo Island, Australia, c. 1819) King Island emu, Dromaius minor (King Island (Tasmania), Australia, c. 1802)
Apterygiformes Kiwis Apteryx
West Coast spotted kiwi, Apteryx occidentalis (South Island, New Zealand, c. 1900) A doubtfully distinct species; may be a subspecies of the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) or a hybrid between that species and the Okarito kiwi (Apteryx rowi).
Anseriformes Ducks, geese, swans, screamers
Anatidae Ducks, geese, and swans Anatinae – ducks
Tadornini Tadorna – shelducks Crested shelduck, Tadorna cristata (Vladivostok, Russia, 1964) A likely relict species from Northeast Asia. Officially critically endangered due to unconfirmed reports made between 1985 and 1990 and poor survey coverage of the regions. Alopochen Réunion sheldgoose, Alopochen kervazoi (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century) Poorly known; observed in 1672, declared extinct in 1710. Mauritius sheldgoose, Alopochen mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1693) Last reported in 1693, declared extinct in 1698. Mergini – sea ducks †Camptorhynchus – Labrador duck Labrador duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (Long Island, New York, 1875) 1875 is generally regarded as the last documented sighting of this species, though reports of an individual being shot in Elmita, New York in 1878 are sometimes accepted. Causes of extinction are poorly known, but at least partly driven by hunting. Mergus – mergansers Auckland Island merganser, Mergus australis (New Zealand and the Auckland Islands, Southwest Pacific, c. 1902) Driven to extinction by predation by introduced mammals and hunting. Aythyini – diving ducks Chenonetta Finsch's duck, Chenonetta finschi (New Zealand, c. 1760) Causes of extinction included predation by rats and overhunting. One unconfirmed record from 1870. Rhodonessa – pink-headed duck Pink-headed duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (East India, Bangladesh, North Myanmar, c. 1945) Sometimes included in genus Netta, but this classification is not generally accepted. Population declined sharply in early 20th century due to habitat loss and hunting. Officially classified as critically endangered due to the possibility of remaining individuals in remote portions of northern Myanmar, where unconfirmed reports have continued into the 21st century. Aythya Réunion pochard, Aythya cf. innotata (Réunion, Mascarenes, 17th century) Undescribed extinct species only known from two subfossils and two historical reports (1687, 1710) of non-Mascarene teal ducks on Réunion. Anatini – dabbling ducks Mareca – wigeons Amsterdam wigeon, Mareca marecula (Amsterdam Island, South Indian Ocean, 1793) Driven to extinction by habitat destruction, hunting, and the introduction of invasive species. Anas Saint Paul Island duck, Anas sp. (St. Paul Island, South Indian Ocean, c. 1800) Only known from a single report from 1793. May be synonymous with the Amsterdam wigeon or a distinct species or subspecies. Mascarene teal, Anas theodori (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, 1710) Extinction caused by rapid habitat loss, hunting, and introduction of invasive species. Mariana mallard, Anas oustaleti (Marianas, West Pacific, 1981) Often considered a subspecies of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) or a hybrid with the Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) Hunting and habitat loss were both responsible for extinction. Captive breeding conservation efforts were unsuccessful. Other Anseriformes
Tahitian "goose", perhaps Nesochen (now Branta) sp. (Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific, last seen ca. 1790) Early travelers to Tahiti reported a "goose" that was found in the mountains. Jean-Marie Derscheid, upon reexamining the notes of these explorers, concluded that it may have been an undescribed species of Nesochen goose.
Galliformes Landfowl
Megapodiidae – megapodes
Megapodius Raoul Island scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, 1876) Megapodes were reported to have inhabited Raoul Island until the population was wiped out in a volcanic eruption in 1876. It is not clear whether the birds represent a distinct taxon, but given the island's history of major volcanic eruptions, it is unlikely an endemic species would have arisen there. Phasianidae – pheasants and allies
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