Scientific Illustration

dendroica:

Hawaiian O’o

Moho nobilis

What? A very shy, timid bird which fed on nectar and lived in the tallest trees of Hawaii’s mountain forests. It was cursed with the most beautiful long yellow plumage that became highly prized by 19th-century bird collectors, hatmakers and fashionistas.

When? It was ‘discovered’ on Captain Cook’s third voyage (1776-1780) What happened? 100 years later, it was becoming very rare as Pacific island populations and hunting increased.

Gone? The last one was killed on 13 May 1902 but there was an unconfirmed report in 1934

(via Extinct Birds - in pictures | Environment | The Observer)