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