extinction of the passenger pigeon

The passenger pigeon went extinct because of human activities, mainly overhunting and habitat destruction. In the 1800s, millions of these birds formed vast flocks, making them easy targets for commercial hunting. As people hunted relentlessly and cleared forests for farms and cities, their populations dwindled rapidly. Unlike other species, they couldn't recover quickly due to their social nature and reliance on large colonies. By the early 20th century, the last known individual, named Martha, died in 1914, marking the extinction of the species. This serves as a reminder of how human actions can dramatically impact wildlife.