Extinct Birds

Extinct Birds documents bird species that have vanished from Earth since the 1600s. The book presents scientific information, historical records, and surviving specimens or artifacts related to these lost species. Fuller provides detailed accounts of well-known extinct birds like the Great Auk, Passenger Pigeon, and Dodo, along with lesser-known species from remote islands. The text incorporates eyewitness descriptions, naturalists' field notes, and period illustrations to reconstruct these birds' appearances and behaviors. The volume features photographs of preserved specimens in museum collections worldwide, as well as historical paintings and drawings of the birds when they still existed. Special attention is given to the final documented sightings and specimens of each species. This scholarly work serves as both a scientific reference and a meditation on humanity's impact on the natural world. Through its examination of lost species, the book raises questions about conservation and our role as stewards of Earth's biodiversity.

Readers appreciate Fuller's detailed research and high-quality illustrations of extinct birds. The book's coverage of both well-known and obscure species resonates with bird enthusiasts and researchers. Multiple reviews highlight the thorough documentation of each species' extinction timeline and final sightings. Readers note the book's historical photographs, particularly rare images of species like the Passenger Pigeon and Carolina Parakeet. One reader called it "a definitive reference work that doubles as a haunting reminder of human impact." Common criticisms include the high price point and lack of distribution maps. Some readers found the writing style dry and technical. A few reviews mention outdated information in older editions. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (28 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 reviews) LibraryThing: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) The book serves both as a scientific reference and a historical record, according to multiple reviewers on academic forums and bird-watching communities.

Lost Animals: Extinction and the Photographic Record by Eric R. Sodhi Documents extinct species through rare photographs and tells the stories of their final documented moments.

Hope Is the Thing with Feathers: A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds by Christopher Cokinos Chronicles the histories of six extinct North American birds through historical accounts and field research.

The Ghost with Trembling Wings by Scott Weidensaul Explores the searches for thought-to-be-extinct species and the scientists who pursue them across remote corners of Earth.

A Gap in Nature: Discovering the World's Extinct Animals by Tim Flannery, Peter Schouten Presents detailed paintings and histories of extinct species from the 1600s to present day.

A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction by Joel Greenberg Traces the complete story of the passenger pigeon from its billions to its final extinction in 1914.

🦅 The book's 2001 edition features detailed accounts of 75 extinct bird species that vanished after 1600 🦜 Author Errol Fuller is not only a writer but also an accomplished painter who has created original artwork of extinct birds 🦉 The book contains the only known photographs of several extinct species, including the Paradise Parrot and the Heath Hen 🦢 Fuller helped rediscover several previously unknown specimens of the extinct Laughing Owl in museum collections during his research 🦅 The book sparked renewed interest in the Carolina Parakeet, leading to new scientific investigations into the causes of its extinction