![]() The Passenger Pigeon was one of the most plentiful bird species in the world in the 19th century. Its population decreased due to hunting, with the last two being killed by collectors of rare specimens. Another extinct flightless bird was the Great Auk. Dodos were killed by sailors, and their nests and young were destroyed by newly introduced cats, rats and pigs brought to the island by the settlers. The Dodo was a large flightless bird living on the island of Mauritius. The three extinct species below clearly illustrate the seriousness of this issue. 42 species and 44 subspecies have become extinct within the last 280 years, most of which are island dwellers. Recent studies have determined the main reasons for extinction are: loss of habitat due to development by humans and harassment by humans or predation by exotic species. When we refer to an extinct bird we are referring to a bird species that is no longer in existence. Sadly, the Dodo is not the only bird that has been classified as extinct. "One of the most critical things we need is the funds to hire local staff, a project car and pay for technology needed to track this species needs to be gathered before time runs out.Have you ever used the expression ‘as dead as a Dodo’? The Dodo is one of the most well known extinct bird species. ![]() Stirnemann hopes to launch a crowd-sourced funding campaign this year to support the little dodo's survival, and not a minute too soon. Stirnemann admits that catching a little dodo to tag will be difficult, but not impossible.īut as with many conservation efforts, researchers understand that one of the most effective ways to prevent a species from going extinct is by raising public awareness of their existence, and why they are worthy of being saved. The data would reveal crucial information about their distribution, revealing which areas are most in need of protection. "On sensing a weak signal from one postage-stamp-sized tag fixed to an animal, a drone can fly towards the creature on autopilot and retrieve the tag's data," she says. But because tracking the birds through the thick tropical jungle as they fly overhead is difficult, the researcher has a plan to monitor them with drones. Now that little dodos have proven a willingness to reproduce, Stirnemann has devised a plan to help make life easier for the next generation. The call is a mix of a cow 'moo' and a pigeon 'coo,' rather endearing." Their speed is surprising since they do not look like they are designed for flight, they have short wings, short tail and a round bulky body," says researcher Rebecca Stirnemann, to. They can cover large distances quite fast so following them is very difficult. "We see them very rarely so it is always very exciting. But that fact also makes it difficult for scientists studying how to protect them. Unlike dodos, this species is capable of flight, which has no doubt been a factor critical to their survival. The little dodo, also known by the names Manumea and tooth-billed pigeon, have been pushed onto the endangered species list from threats like habitat loss, hunting and the introduction of non-native species. Now we know it is still alive," says Moeumu Uili, a researcher with the Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. "Everyone had questioned whether the bird still existed. ![]()
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