List of possibly extinct birds facts for kids

Imagine a world where some amazing birds haven't been seen in a long time. They might still be out there, hiding, or they might be gone forever. These birds are called "possibly extinct." It means scientists haven't confirmed them in many years, but there's still a tiny bit of hope they could be rediscovered.

What Does "Possibly Extinct" Mean?

When a bird is listed as "possibly extinct," it means experts haven't seen it in the wild for a very long time. They have searched for it, but without success. However, because there's a small chance it could still exist, they don't officially declare it "extinct." This gives conservationists a reason to keep looking and protecting their habitats. It's like a mystery that scientists are still trying to solve.

Why Do Birds Disappear?

Birds become rare or disappear for many reasons. One big reason is habitat loss. This happens when their homes, like forests or wetlands, are destroyed for farms or buildings. Climate change also plays a part, changing the places where birds can live and find food. Sometimes, new animals brought by people, like rats or cats, can hunt birds and their eggs. Sadly, hunting by humans has also led to the decline of some species.

Birds We Hope Are Still Out There

Here is a list of birds that are considered "possibly extinct" by the IUCN Red List. This list shows their common name, scientific name, where they used to live, and the last time they were officially seen.

1. Pink-headed Duck - Rhodonessa caryophyllacea - Lived in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar - Last seen: 1935
2. Jamaican Petrel - Pterodroma caribbaea - Lived in the Bahamas, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica - Last seen: 1879
3. Guadalupe Storm-petrel - Hydrobates macrodactylus - Lived in Mexico - Last seen: 1912
4. Samoan Moorhen - Pareudiastes pacificus - Lived in Samoa - Last seen: 1873
5. New Caledonian Buttonquail - Turnix novaecaledoniae - Lived in New Caledonia - Last seen: 1911 (only one record)
6. Javan Lapwing - Vanellus macropterus - Lived in Indonesia (Jawa) - Last seen: 1940
7. Eskimo Curlew - Numenius borealis - Lived across the Americas - Last seen: 1963
8. Siau Scops-owl - Otus siaoensis - Lived in Indonesia - Last seen: 1866 (only one record)
9. Pernambuco Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium mooreorum - Lived in Brazil - Last seen: 2001
10. New Caledonian Nightjar - Eurostopodus exul - Lived in New Caledonia - Last seen: 1939 (only one record)
11. Jamaican Poorwill - Siphonorhis americana - Lived in Jamaica - Last seen: 1860
12. Turquoise-throated Puffleg - Eriocnemis godini - Lived in Ecuador - Last seen: 1850
13. Ivory-billed Woodpecker - Campephilus principalis - Lived in the United States & Cuba - Last seen: 1944 & 1987
14. Imperial Woodpecker - Campephilus imperialis - Lived in Mexico - Last seen: 1956
15. New Caledonian Lorikeet - Charmosyna diadema - Lived in New Caledonia
16. Sinu Parakeet - Pyrrhura subandina - Lived in Colombia - Last seen: 1949
17. Glaucous Macaw - Anodorhynchus glaucus - Lived in South America - Last seen: 1936 (a zoo bird)
18. South Island Kokako - Callaeas cinereus - Lived in New Zealand - Last seen: 2007
19. Ua Pou Monarch - Pomarea mira - Lived in French Polynesia - Last seen: 1975
20. Olomao - Myadestes lanaiensis - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1980
21. Oahu Alauahio - Paroreomyza maculate - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1985
22. Ou - Psittirostra psittacea - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1989
23. Kauai Nukupuu - Hemignathus Hanapepe - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1899
24. Maui Nukupuu - Hemignathus affinis - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1994
25. Maui Akepa - Loxops ochraceus - Lived in Hawaii - Last seen: 1988
26. Bachman's Warbler - Vermivora bachmanii - Lived in Cuba; United States - Last seen: 1988