PASSENGER PIGEONS

In 1806 Alexander Wilson (American ornithologist) noted while watching a migratory flight:

"It was then half past one (when the birds first appeared in the sky). About four in the afternoon, the living torrent above my head seemed as numerous and extensive as ever."

Wilson estimated that in less than 3 hours he had seen a little more than 2 BILLION birds.

Passenger Pigeons

In 1813 John James Audubon watched a similar 'torrent' of life that lasted for 3 DAYS.

The last surviving bird died on September 1,1914 at the Cincinnati Zoo, having been commercially hunted to extinction.
(See Chestnut Trivia for additional facts about the birds extinction)

A monument to the passenger pigeon in a Wisconsin State Park declares:

"This species became extinct through the avarice and thoughtlessness of man."

You are here > Home > FOOD TRIVIA & FACTS >

PABST BEER to PAWPAW > Passenger Pigeons

Please feel free to link to any pages of FoodReference.com from your website.
For permission to use any of this content please E-mail: james@foodreference.com
All contents are copyright © 1990 - 2024 James T. Ehler and www.FoodReference.com unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved. You may copy and use portions of this website for non-commercial, personal use only.
Any other use of these materials without prior written authorization is not very nice and violates the copyright.
Please take the time to request permission.

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS

Also see: Food Articles and Cooking Tips

FoodReference.com (since 1999)

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS SECTION