Record #:

4586

Author(s):

Nickens, T. Edward

Abstract:

Once great flocks of passenger pigeons numbering in the millions filled the skies. Over 16 inches in length with a 2-foot wingspan, the bird made its home mainly in the North, but it did visit North Carolina. Moravians reported them in 1760. Over the years other sightings were noted, down to the last single pigeon seen in 1894. Driven to extinction by unrestricted hunting, the last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, 1914.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 63 Issue 10, Oct 1999, p8-13, il

Subject(s):

Passenger pigeon