passenger pigeon

noun

1. an extinct pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, once found in great numbers in North America, noted for its sustained migratory flights.

passenger pigeon

noun

1. a gregarious North American pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius: became extinct at the beginning of the 20th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of passenger pigeon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Just like we have no cultural memory for passenger pigeons blotting out the sun, or the scale of American bisons.

From Popular-Science

If mammoths or passenger pigeons were to end up going extinct a second time, that would be doubly tragic.

From Science News For Students

The shopping mall record store has pretty much gone the way of the passenger pigeon, but there was a time when it was a busy crossroads for music lovers, both fans and performers alike.

From Washington Post

The entire passenger pigeon population at the time probably numbered in the billions.

From Science News For Students

The American passenger pigeon, once very abundant in the Middle West, is now extinct.

From Project Gutenberg

The cougar is well-known to frequent the great roosts of the passenger-pigeon, and is fond of the flesh of these birds.

From Project Gutenberg

The Wild or Passenger Pigeon, once so abundant in this county, was found in flocks throughout the year.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding the disparity in size and color, he has certain peculiarities that remind one of the Passenger-pigeon.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, only the Passenger Pigeon is included in this genus, while formerly the Zenaidura carolinensis auct.

From Project Gutenberg