Passenger pigeon

Meet passenger pigeon—one more extraordinary life to discover.

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A reference overview

The passenger pigeon or wild pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) is an extinct species of pigeon that was endemic to North America. Its common name is derived from the French word passager, meaning "passing by", due to the migratory habits of the species. The scientific name also refers to its migratory characteristics.

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · Passenger pigeon, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.

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This overview is attributed to Wikipedia contributors and was retrieved on 2026-10-09. Retrieval is not independent scientific review.

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The picture has a linked creator and license. Extinct-animal images may show a fossil, specimen or reconstruction; a reconstruction is not a photograph of the living animal.

Scope and uncertainty

Map points represent selected regions, not complete ranges or live sightings. References and identifications can change. A linked source is not an expert certification.

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Passenger pigeon

A reference overview

The evidence behind this discovery

Where will this discovery take you?

Dodo ↗

How do fossils become evidence? ↗

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