Illustration of passenger pigeon
passenger pigeon
noun
: an extinct but formerly abundant North American migratory pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)
Examples of passenger pigeon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, marking the end of the species.
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Massive flocks of passenger pigeons, which had once numbered in the billions, were wiped out due to overhunting, habitat destruction and the disruption of their migratory patterns.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The passenger pigeon played a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to disperse seeds and maintain the balance of forested environments across the continent.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The nonprofit is working on reviving populations of the black-footed ferret and passenger pigeon, among other animals.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passenger pigeon
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Massive flocks of passenger pigeons, which had once numbered in the billions, were wiped out due to overhunting, habitat destruction and the disruption of their migratory patterns.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The passenger pigeon played a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to disperse seeds and maintain the balance of forested environments across the continent.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The nonprofit is working on reviving populations of the black-footed ferret and passenger pigeon, among other animals.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passenger pigeon
Cite this Entry
“Passenger pigeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passenger%20pigeon. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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