AHC: prevent extinction of the passenger pigeon and the Carolina parakeet

While both of these species became extinct during the 20th century, it seems reasonable to assume a 19th century POD would be required for each.

At one time, the North American population of the passenger pigeon numbered in the billions. However, deforestation and development of the US interior led to shrinking habitats. That, combined with massive hunting, led to a sharp decline in the population from about 1870 onward. The last specimen died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.

The Carolina parakeet, which ranged as far north as New York, suffered a similar decline. The last documented specimen died also in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918, although some unconfirmed reports of sightings in the 1920s and 1930s kept hopes alive that the species might have survived. However, it was declared extinct in 1939.

So: what would have to happen, presumably sometime in the 19th century, to keep both of these species alive to the present day and at least under protection of latter-day laws?

Bonus 1: have the ivory-billed woodpecker (still alive albeit in very remote areas in the south) more abundant.

Super bonus: have the great auk (extinct since the 1840s) survive to the present day.
 
Well, the passenger pigeon doesn't seem that hard. Pigeon meat was considered poor man's food. Culturally, they just need to be considered along the lines of crow. Edible, yes, but not something you really WANT to eat. Maybe a few high profile cases of people getting food poisoning after eating it would do it?

The parakeet is harder, because no one knows what happened. The went from large, healthy flocks to gone in twenty years. They were hunted, though not heavily enough (That I know of) to cause the problems.

The Ivory-billed woodpecker: Well, it might not be extinct. But what we'll do is have the Singer company put aside the Singer Tract as a refuge. This goes beyond the scope, but perhaps the birds could be taken further north as well?

The Great Auk: Well, museums destroyed the last colony of about 50 birds, in order to have specimens. Enjoy the irony.
 
Is there reason why carolina parakeet haven't ever domesticated as pets like some other parrot species? If it would be possible then parakeets can survive at least as pet animals.
 
I wonder if better conservation techniques in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century would have saved diminished populations of these creatures.

They tried in many cases, but this was new and they really didn't know what they were doing.

By the same token, as bad as extinctions are now, the record would be much worse with worse or no zoos and national parks and no interest in or knowledge of conservation.
 
In the case of the passenger pigeon, perhaps one nesting site ends up on private land? A Rockefeller or some other tycoon, who decides they don't want the woods disturbed so as to keep the deer, foxes and other game unspooked and don't want to share the pigeons with the local peasantry. The nesting site just needs to survive long enough for national parks to be a thing, and for one flock to split up and set up in one of said parks. From there it's pretty smooth sailing for the beasts.

I'd second domestication for the Carolina parakeet-perhaps by European elites, who'd be less likely to view the birds as pests? Maybe British veterans of British occupation after a failed ARW bring them back to Britain as curiosities.
 
Is there reason why carolina parakeet haven't ever domesticated as pets like some other parrot species? If it would be possible then parakeets can survive at least as pet animals.
Probably because it was viewed as something of a pest where orchards (and to a lesser extent grain fields) were concerned, and because it was so numerous.
 
Probably because it was viewed as something of a pest where orchards (and to a lesser extent grain fields) were concerned, and because it was so numerous.
This is why, its the reason why many states allow farmers to shoot cranes and crows and starlings. At that time humanity went over board.
 
This is why, its the reason why many states allow farmers to shoot cranes and crows and starlings. At that time humanity went over board.

In North America at any rate, the starling is invasive, and harmful to native birds, so by all means, eliminate them from the continent
 
Well, the passenger pigeon doesn't seem that hard. Pigeon meat was considered poor man's food. Culturally, they just need to be considered along the lines of crow. Edible, yes, but not something you really WANT to eat. Maybe a few high profile cases of people getting food poisoning after eating it would do it?

The parakeet is harder, because no one knows what happened. The went from large, healthy flocks to gone in twenty years. They were hunted, though not heavily enough (That I know of) to cause the problems.

The Ivory-billed woodpecker: Well, it might not be extinct. But what we'll do is have the Singer company put aside the Singer Tract as a refuge. This goes beyond the scope, but perhaps the birds could be taken further north as well?

The Great Auk: Well, museums destroyed the last colony of about 50 birds, in order to have specimens. Enjoy the irony.
Really?Pigeons taste fantastic.I'm not sure why people didn't raise pigeons in farms if they are actually hunted to extinction.In Hong Kong,there are dedicated pigeon farms to supply pigeons to restaurants.
 
As I understand it archeologists in digs on Native American sites in the Eastern US do not find many Passenger Piegon bones. Given their diet they would of been in competition for forrest based foods with the native peoples. Passenger Piegons may well of been a break-out species who's population explded. Any one know more
 

samcster94

Banned
In the case of the passenger pigeon, perhaps one nesting site ends up on private land? A Rockefeller or some other tycoon, who decides they don't want the woods disturbed so as to keep the deer, foxes and other game unspooked and don't want to share the pigeons with the local peasantry. The nesting site just needs to survive long enough for national parks to be a thing, and for one flock to split up and set up in one of said parks. From there it's pretty smooth sailing for the beasts.

I'd second domestication for the Carolina parakeet-perhaps by European elites, who'd be less likely to view the birds as pests? Maybe British veterans of British occupation after a failed ARW bring them back to Britain as curiosities.
The pigeon could easily be saved with an ACW era POD(the POD is unrelated to slavery though), possibly like earlier natural parks or something.
The parakeet with an 18th century POD, interesting idea.
 
Probably because it was viewed as something of a pest where orchards (and to a lesser extent grain fields) were concerned, and because it was so numerous.

Passenger pigeons were seen as the same. It was less "hunting for eating " and more "hunting to keep them from eating my crops".
 
I didn't know that I love their little song.

One Eugene Schieffelin released 60 in Central Park in 1890, out of a desire to have all birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays in the US.

The starling has had negative effect on the populations of Bluebirds, flickers and woodpeckers by bullying them out of their nests and breaking their eggs. Hey, wait a minute...
 
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