How The Passenger Pigeon Changed North American Forests

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Sources and recommended reading:

Artists whose work is featured in this video: John James Audubon, K. Hayashi, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Frank Bond, Mark Catesby, Smith Bennett, Frank Leslie, Charles R. Knight

[blusky]

Sheko I’m a member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and we still till this day sing and dance the Passenger pigeon songs when sugar maple is flowing and we also sing these songs at socials throughout the year, we also did understand the Importance of the passenger pigeon in their seed dispersal and that in ancient times we developed these songs and dance to honour The passenger pigeon for their benefit to creation. I just wanted to say Yawʌko! (great thanks) for bringing to light the significance of the passenger pigeon as a keystone species in North America.

[stevewapner]

I imagine the carnivores like martens, fishers, weasels and bobcats must have really benefited from the pigeons’ arrival in the Spring. And the loss of all that biomass must have really thrown the food chain for a loop.

[KeefsCattys]

I mourn this loss . How terrible to lose a part of our world

[sapelesteve]

Well done Adam. Very informative and interesting video! 👍👍

[OutdoorAdventureandNatureStudy]

The wanton destruction of Eastern North American forests for timber harvest in the late 19th century was a major factor in the decline of the passenger pigeon. When we visit a high quality forest preserve nowadays, it's helpful to keep in mind that what we think of as a healthy and pristine wilderness is actually a radically altered habitat when compared to the time before European settlers arrived.

Very interesting to hear some of the theories on the ecological effects to forests due to the passenger pigeon extinction. Great video, thank you!

[patriotsongs]

The extinction of the passenger pigeon has always left me in shock and mourning. How could so many billions of birds be wiped out so thoroughly? How could hunters be so callous as to not see what they were doing? The callousness is beyond understanding.

[seanrowemusic]

Fascinating Adam! Thanks for sharing this👌👌

[kevinbown]

Yeah that's pretty sad. I'm surprised there are any Bison left as well.

[Heavilymoderated]

Literally turned paradise into a parking lot.

[gianpaulgraziosi]

That Biotech Startup called Colossal trying to bring back mammoths should refocus on passenger pigeons…

[pattymc]

Thank you Adam! I love your incredible knowledge and enthusiasm! As a novice mycologist, I've been watching only your mushroom videos for a few years now. But this just introduced me to something I didn't even know I was interested in!!! 😊 As always, you gave such a clear and interesting delivery of a topic not frequently seen!

[RenG-rj]

Well done! You tell us so that even a low educated but curious 63 year old man can understand. Great job and channel!

[Juli-gd]

I get choked up every time I visit Martha's shrine.

[Aldoleapold]

This takes forest forensics to a new level. Awesome vid. Thanks

[beebob]

And the American chestnut was spread all over.
How about the effects of the dung on the soils and how it helped build the fertile soils we have today.
The fires as a result may have kept specific diseases in check by not allowing them to spread. Now it’s a horror if we have a fire.
Excellent video of the pigeon. Thank you for doing that

[violetpasztorwilson]

Too cool.. sad but interesting... Adam is unbelievable.. I'm always amazed at his awesome videos.

[nelsonpagel]

Every time I go hiking I think about how things live in the forest, everything is interconnected somehow. There's the small scale relationships and the bigger changes that occur that occur over time that we don't really think about. I really enjoy your videos Adam. I'm in the Pacific Northwest but hopefully will visit the Eastern forests one day.

[Greye]

Passenger Pigeons are fascinating. Thank you Adam, for this excellent video and a more in depth look at one of the world's most iconic birds. 🌼🌳

[J.A.Smith]

Wow, one of your best videos yet!!!! The information was incredible!

[Hoseaistheone]

Extremely interesting. Thank you for this look back into our forest history. Well done!