Mauritian Woodpigeon (Columba thiriouxi)

Posted on 31 December, 1730 in Extinct

Year Last Seen:

1730

Comments:

This Extinct species has been newly-described from subfossil remains. It is little-known but probably became extinct around 1730 as a result of overhunting, predation by rats, and deforestation.

Habitat:

A small arboreal pigeon.

Causes:

This species was apparently easily caught, and probably became extinct as a result of overhunting, predation by Black Rats, and deforestation (Hume and Walters 2012).

Distribution:

Columba thiriouxi is known from subfossil remains on Mauritius (Hume 2011). It is thought to have become extinct around 1730 (Hume and Walters 2012). Available specimen material is limited, and there is some doubt about the validity of the species since currently available material may not satisfactorily exclude C. livia (R. Roe in litt. 2014)

References:

IUCN Redbook Data