Carolina Parakeet

Modern European Discovery of America

Oct 8, 1492

Explorer Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola in the West Indies

First Described by George Peckham

1582

Referenced in "A True Report of the Late Discoveries of the Newfound Lands"

First Scientifically Described by Marc Catesby

1731

Officially described in "Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands"

First Scientific Name Given

1758

The name "Psittacus carolinensis" was given by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th Edition of "Systemae Naturae"

Decline First Noted

1832

Noted by naturalist John James Audubon

Almost Exclusively Limited to Florida

1860

Rough Estimate

Last Wild Bird Killed East of the Mississippi (Excluding Florida)

1878

Killed in Kentucky

Last Large Flock Reported

1896

Roughly 20 birds, including juveniles, although these were nowhere near previous sizes of 200-300 birds

C.c. Carolinensis Becomes Extinct in the Wild

1904

Killed in Okeechobee County, Florida

C.c. Ludovicianus Becomes Extinct

1910

Although in may have survived in isolated patches until c. 1914

Last Female in Captivity Dies

1917

Cincinnati Zoo

Last Known Specimen Dies

Feb 21, 1918

Cincinnati Zoo, resided there for about 35 years since c. 1885

Last Widely Recognized Sighting

1920

Okeechobee County, Florida

Last Decently Credible Sighting

1938

Experienced ornithologists claimed to have seen this species in the Santee River Basin in South Carolina

Declared Extinct by the American Ornithologist's Union

1939