Carolina Parakeet

The Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis, was the only parrot species native to the eastern United States. Historically ranging from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf of Mexico, these birds were once abundant in old-growth forests, where they relied on hollow trees for nesting. By the 19th century, the species faced intense pressure from habitat loss due to deforestation and significant persecution by farmers who viewed them as agricultural pests. Their social nature often led them to return to the site of a downed flock member, a behavior that made them uniquely vulnerable to mass hunting.

Scientific documentation of the species was bolstered by prominent naturalists like John James Audubon, who famously illustrated the bird in his 'The Birds of America' series. Audubon’s depictions captured their vibrant yellow and green plumage and distinct facial markings, providing a lasting visual record of the parakeet. Despite these artistic efforts to immortalize the species, the last captive individual, named Incas, died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918, marking the extinction of the species following decades of decline.