Hummingbirds are known for their small size, bright iridescent colors, remarkable speed, and ability to hover in midair. They are found only in the Americas, with most species living in South America and the Caribbean. There are over 300 recognized hummingbird species alive today. Unfortunately, habitat loss and other factors have caused some species to go extinct over the centuries. This article will explore the hummingbird species that researchers believe are now extinct.
Blue-fronted Lancebill
The blue-fronted lancebill (Doryfera johannae) is the first documented extinct hummingbird species. It was native to the forests of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Males had a bright blue patch on their forehead and throat, with green on the top of the head and back. Females lacked the blue coloring. This species was common when the island was first colonized in the 17th century. However, it had disappeared by the late 1700s due to deforestation and development as sugar plantations spread across Martinique.
The species was scientifically described in 1779 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin, based on a specimen in a collection. No blue-fronted lancebills have been conclusively detected since the late 18th century. Habitat loss from agriculture and logging likely caused their extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared this species extinct in 2008.
Coppery Thorntail
The coppery thorntail (Discosura letitiae) inhabited the forested slopes of the Bolivian Yungas region. Males had coppery colored forehead, throat, and chest plumage, with a forked blue-black tail. It was first collected by French ornithologist Alcide d’Orbigny in 1834 near the towns of Coroico and Coripata. Subsequent expeditions failed to find the bird. Habitat loss from agricultural development is thought to be responsible for its extinction. The IUCN declared the coppery thorntail extinct in 2008.
Cuban Red Macaw
The Cuban red macaw (Ara tricolor) was one of two macaw species native to the Caribbean islands. As its name suggests, it had mostly red plumage with some blue on its wings. It inhabited forests and woodlands in Cuba and occasionally the Bahama Islands. Hunting for food and trade devastated wild populations in the early 19th century. The last published sighting was in 1864. Habitat loss and hunting drove the Cuban red macaw to extinction. The IUCN declared the species extinct in 2008.
Cozumel Thrasher
The Cozumel thrasher (Toxostoma guttatum) was a medium-sized songbird that inhabited the island of Cozumel off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It had gray and black plumage with white spotting on the wings. The species mainly lived in the island’s forests and scrublands. It was first collected and described in 1861. Clearing of land for agriculture is believed to have destroyed the majority of its habitat. Over-hunting also contributed to its disappearance. The last accepted sightings were in the early 1900s. The IUCN declared this species extinct in 2018.
Guadalupe Caracara
The Guadalupe caracara (Caracara lutosa) was a bird of prey that lived on Guadalupe Island off Baja California, Mexico. Adults had blackish-brown plumage with a pale throat, ears, and crown. This species preyed on seabirds and likely scavenged dead animals. Habitat degradation from introduced goats enabled an increase of predatory eagle owls which likely outcompeted the Guadalupe caracara. The last reported sighting was in 1900. Extensive surveys in recent decades have failed to find the species. The IUCN declared it extinct in 2000.
Jamaican Pauraque
The Jamaican pauraque (Siphonorhis americana) was a nocturnal bird related to nightjars. It was native to Jamaica in the Caribbean where it inhabited forests and scrublands, venturing out at night to catch insect prey. Males were grayish-brown with white and buff colored spots and bars. Females lacked the white spotting. It was last observed in 1859, despite thorough surveys in modern times. Habitat loss from land clearance for coffee plantations is thought to have driven the species’ extinction. The IUCN declared the Jamaican pauraque extinct in 2020.
Oahu Nukupu’u
The Oahu nukupu’u (Hemignathus lucidus) was a small finch-like bird endemic to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Males were bright yellow with black lores, wings, and tail. Females were olive-green with lighter yellow underparts. It inhabited mountain forests on Oahu. The species declined drastically in the late 1800s due to habitat loss and the impacts of invasive species. The last confirmed sighting was in 1896. Extensive surveys have failed to find any Oahu nukupu’u since then. The IUCN declared the species extinct in 2016.
Grand Cayman Thrush
The Grand Cayman thrush (Turdus ravidus) was a medium-sized thrush endemic to the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. Males and females had grayish-brown upperparts and paler underparts with black streaks. It inhabited forests across the island and vanished in the early 20th century, likely due to habitat destruction and hunting. Extensive surveys have failed to find the species since the 1930s. The IUCN declared the Grand Cayman thrush extinct in 2016.
Saint Croix Macaw
The Saint Croix macaw (Ara autocthones) was a large, mostly blue and yellow macaw that lived on the island of Saint Croix in the Caribbean. It was described from a single specimen found in the historic estate of Høgensborg. The bird disappeared from Saint Croix in the early 1800s, likely due to a combination of habitat loss and hunting pressure. No living specimens or recent remains have ever been found. Ornithologists describe the Saint Croix macaw as extinct since the 1830s. However, the IUCN has not formally classified the species.
Cumberland Island Thrush
The Cumberland Island thrush (Turdus pauldingi) was a medium-sized thrush only found on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Males and females had grayish-brown upperparts with a lighter yellowish breast with dark streaks. It foraged on the ground in the island’s coastal forests. This species was last observed in the late 1890s and disappeared early in the 20th century. Habitat destruction from logging and agricultural development likely caused its demise. The IUCN has not formally assessed the Cumberland Island thrush, but ornithologists agree it has been extinct for over a century.
Marianne Island Thrush
The Marianne Island thrush (Turdus xanthopus) inhabited forests on Marianne Island in the Seychelles archipelago of the Indian Ocean. Males were olive-brown with a pale yellow bill and eyering. Females were similar but duller in color. The species was last observed in the 1840s and was wiped out by habitat destruction for agriculture, along with persecution by invasive species like black rats. The IUCN has not formally assessed this thrush, but it has been considered extinct since at least the 1880s.
Conclusion
At least 10 species of hummingbirds have gone extinct in the past few centuries, primarily due to habitat destruction, overhunting, and the impacts of invasive species. Islands in the Caribbean and Oceania were home to most of these now-extinct hummingbirds and thrush species. Some lived on single islands and were vulnerable to human disturbance and introduced predators. Conservation efforts today focus on protecting rare endemic hummingbirds on islands to prevent further extinctions in the future.
