Extinct Birds in Australia: Discoveries and Losses

Australia has a rich and unique avifauna, but unfortunately, the country has also experienced significant losses in its bird population. The thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger, is an example of an extinct bird-like mammal that was once native to Australia.

The thylacine's loss is attributed to hunting and disease, which led to its extinction in 1936. The dodo's cousin, the Rodrigues solitaire, was another bird that went extinct due to human activities.

The 18th century saw the introduction of invasive species such as rats, cats, and dogs, which had a devastating impact on native bird populations.

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The taxonomy of Genyornis newtoni is a fascinating topic. The species was first described in 1896 by Edward Charles Stirling and A. H. C. Zeitz, and the name of the genus is derived from the ancient Greek words for "jaw" and "bird".

Genyornis newtoni is a medium-sized dromornithid, measuring up to 2.15 metres tall and weighing around 250-350 kilograms. It's worth noting that the body mass estimation may vary based on different methods.

The placement of this dromornithid species may be summarised as follows:

Genyornis newtoni Stirling & Zietz, 1896

Taxonomy is the process of classifying living things into groups based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships. The species Genyornis newtoni was first described in 1896 by Edward Charles Stirling and A. H. C. Zeitz.

The name of the genus Genyornis is derived from the ancient Greek words γένυς (génus) 'jaw; chin' and ὄρνις (órnis) 'bird', because of the relatively large size of the lower mandible.

The species Genyornis newtoni was named after Alfred Newton, a Cambridge professor. The authors gave the epithet newtoni to honor him.

Here's a list of the placement of the dromornithid species:

This is part of the larger group Dromornithidae, which has 8 species in 4 genera.

Genyornis newtoni was a medium-sized dromornithid that measured up to 2.15 meters tall and weighed around 250-350 kilograms.

The fossils of Genyornis have been found in articulation, which is a rare occurrence for dromornithid species.

Gastroliths, or stones that were used for grinding food in the birds' gizzards, have been found alongside the remains of Genyornis.

The remains of eggs have been attributed to Genyornis, providing valuable information about the species' reproductive habits.

Prior to 2024, reconstructions of the Genyornis skull were based on its closest relatives due to the heavily damaged nature of the holotype.

The 2024 study on the skull morphology of Genyornis found that the bill was much more goose-like, with a raised triangular casque, which may have been an adaptation for feeding on aquatic vegetation.

Mihirungs, including Genyornis, have one of the longest fossil records of any Australian vertebrate group, spanning from the late Pleistocene to possibly as early as the Eocene.

Over 2,500 bones of mihirungs have been discovered so far, making them the best known fossil birds in Australia.

29 Australian birds have become extinct since 1788, a number that's still far too high. Unfortunately, three birds – the Mount Lofty Ranges spotted quail-thrush, white-chested white-eye, and southern star finch – went extinct between 1990 and 2010, despite conservation efforts.

Even with conservation legislation in place, extinctions are continuing. The number of extinct birds has risen steadily since Australia was colonized, with an initial burst of extinctions on islands, particularly big birds that were good to eat and probably had small populations.

A recent court order halting forestry activity in swift parrot habitat suggests that environmental laws can make a difference. This is a crucial lesson for preventing extinction.

The white-breasted white-eye is now found only in museum collections, having gone extinct by 2010. This is a stark reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.

Unfortunately, grave fears are held for another four birds – the Tiwi hooded robin, buff-breasted button-quail, Coxen's fig-parrot, and Cape Range rufous grasswren – whose status is currently unknown.

However, the examples of birds whose risk of extinction has declined show what can be achieved. While some of these improvements were mostly a matter of good luck, many were the result of hard work, advocacy, investment, and well-judged interventions.

Here's a list of the 29 Australian birds that are known to have become extinct:

Australia was home to some of the most impressive birds of prey to have ever existed.

The largest extinct eagle, Dynatoaetus gaffae, had a wingspan of up to 3 meters.

These eagles lived in the Limestone Coast of South Australia, where they competed with vultures for food.

The researchers who discovered these eagles were from the paleontological laboratory of Flinders University.

Dynatoaetus gaffae is the largest eagle ever to fly in Australia.

A second species of this genus, Dynatoaetus pachyosteus, was discovered in Victoria Cave in Naracoorte Caves.

This eagle weighed up to 12 kilograms and lived between 500,000 and 200,000 years ago.

The name Dynatoaetus comes from the Greek words “dynatós”, meaning “mighty”, and “aetós”, meaning “eagle”.

Dynatoaetus pachyosteus had a wingspan similar to that of the largest living raptor in Australia.

It was more powerful and heavier built, as evidenced by its much stronger bones, especially its leg bones.

The genus of eagles, Dynatoaetus, lived only in Australia and is not found anywhere else in the world.

It is one of the largest known predators in the region, second only to the Haast’s eagle of New Zealand.

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The Paradise Parrot was a vibrant bird that once inhabited the mainland of Australia.

It was a large parrot, measuring around 45 centimeters in length.

The Paradise Parrot had a distinctive green plumage with a red belly, and its beak was black.

It was a social bird that lived in small groups, often seen foraging for food in the company of other birds.

Unfortunately, the Paradise Parrot was declared extinct in 1927.

Dromornis planei, also known as the 'Demon Duck of Doom', was a massive bird that lived in Australia during the Miocene Epoch, about 24 million years ago.

This bird belonged to a family of extinct flightless birds called dromornithids, or mihirungs. They were closely related to ducks, which is why Dromornis planei got its spooky nickname.

Here are some key facts about Dromornis planei:

Dromornis planei had a unique appearance, with a long neck, enormous legs, and a skull that was similar in size to a horse's head. Its bill was deep and curved, and it had stubby little wings and a breastbone (sternum) that lacked a keel.

Dromornis planei, also known as the 'Demon Duck of Doom', is a massive bird that belonged to the dromornithids family of extinct flightless birds.

It was about 2.5 m tall and weighed around 300 kg.

The Miocene Epoch, which spanned from 24 million years ago to 5 million years ago, is when Dromornis planei roamed the Earth.

Here are some key facts about Dromornis planei:

Dromornis planei was a heavily built bird with a long neck and enormous legs. It was as tall as an ostrich but far more massive.

The skull of Dromornis planei was similar in size to a horse's head and had a deep, curved bill.

Most of the wing bones are unknown for Dromornis planei, and what we know about its sternum comes from small fragments.

Like other mihirung species, Dromornis planei probably also had stubby little wings and lacked a keel on its sternum, features associated with flightlessness.

Dromornithids were relatively fast runners, thanks to their massive legs that were well muscled and provided the necessary power despite their bulk.

These birds were likely able to move quickly and efficiently, which would have been an advantage in their environment.

Dromornis planei is known only from Bullock Creek in the Northern Territory.

This bird species was found in a very specific location, which is interesting because it suggests that the environment at Bullock Creek was unique.

Two other mihirung species belonging to the genus Ilbandornis have also been found at this fossil site, which is a significant discovery.

Dromornithids were relatively fast runners, thanks to their well-muscled legs that provided the necessary power despite their bulk.

Their massive legs were designed to handle their size, allowing them to move efficiently.

These birds likely used their speed to their advantage in their natural habitats, possibly to escape predators or chase after prey.

Little is known about the life cycle of Dromornis planei, but a study of a related species, Dromornis stirtoni, has provided some clues. This study found medullary tissue in the bones of some individuals, which serves as a calcium reservoir for building hard eggshell.

Females of Dromornis stirtoni that were laying or about to lay eggs could be distinguished by this tissue. Males, on the other hand, were much larger than females, a phenomenon known as sexual size dimorphism.

This size difference is associated with complex mating behaviours, such as lifelong monogamy and aggressive defence of nests, which are also seen in living anseriforms like ducks and geese. It's possible that Dromornis planei had similar mating behaviour, given its close relationship to Dromornis stirtoni.

The life history cycle of Dromornis planei is still a bit of a mystery, but we do know that a related species, Dromornis stirtoni, has some clues to offer.

Females of Dromornis stirtoni had a specialized tissue in their bones called medullary tissue, which served as a calcium reservoir for building eggshells.

This tissue not only helped us distinguish between female and male mihirungs, but it also indicated which females were laying or about to lay eggs.

Sexual size dimorphism was present in Dromornis stirtoni, with males being much larger than females, a trait also found in living anseriforms like ducks and geese.

It's possible that Dromornis planei was also sexually dimorphic and had similar complex mating behaviors, such as shared parental care and aggressive nest defense.

Mihirungs were initially thought to be ratites, a group that includes emus, cassowaries, ostriches, and the extinct moa and elephant birds.

Their large size and flightlessness led researchers to consider this classification. However, recent discoveries have challenged this idea.

The skull and bill of Dromornis planei suggested a close relationship with Anseriformes, the waterfowl group that includes ducks and geese.

This is a significant departure from their initial classification, and highlights the complexity of evolutionary relationships.

Most recently, researchers have suggested a close relationship between mihirungs and the Galloanseres group, which includes anseriforms and galliforms (chickens and turkeys).

This group classification has been confirmed through recent studies, which have also shown that Dromornis planei is more closely related to species of the genus Dromornis than to Bullockornis.