Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Passenger Pigeon
Tourte voyageuse
Ectopistes migratorius
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Images of the extinct Passenger Pigeon are courtesy of North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster & the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and the Ontario Provincial Park visitor's centre at Point Pelee, Leamington, Ontario, Canada.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Pigeons
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16" 40.6cm | 18" 45.7cm | 12oz 340g | Columbidae | Ectopistes migratorius |
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Passenger Pigeon was once seen by the billions, some even say the population was between 3 and 5 billion birds. They were the most common bird seen in North America. This pigeon became extinct at the start of the 20th century due to the relentless killing of them. Today, the only reminders we have left of them are the mounted specimens that are on display in museums.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
