Rodrigues Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria)
Posted on 31 December, 1770 in Extinct
Year Last Seen:
1770
Comments:
This species was endemic to the island of Rodrigues, Mauritius, but was hunted to extinction in the 18th century. It was reported in 1761, but had become Extinct by 1778.
Habitat:
It is likely to have inhabited dry forest and perhaps scrubland.
Causes:
Birds were heavily hunted and predated by introduced cats.
Distribution:
Pezophaps solitaria was endemic to Rodrigues, Mauritius, from where it is known from numerous historical accounts (Cheke 1987), with those of Leguat in 1708 providing particularly rich detail (Hachisuka 1953), and many bones (Cowles 1987). It was very rare by 1761, when Pingré was informed of its presence. Morel reported in 1778 that the birds were certainly extinct (Cheke 1987).