Passenger Pigeon Stamp, Mozambique, 2012 // Sello de la Paloma Migratoria, Mozambique, 2012

Prehistoric Animals Stamp, Cuba, 1982 // Sello de Animales Prehistoricos, Cuba, 1982

Dodo Bird Stamp, Mauritius, 1968 // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, Mauritius, 1968

Carolina Parakeet Stamp, 1985, Guinee // Sello del Perico de la Carolina, 1985, Guinee

September 1st, 1914 -- September 1st, 2014 The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Martha The Passenger Pigeon

It was Sept. 1st, 1914. It was 100 yrs. ago, between 1pm and 4 pm, that "Martha" the last Passenger Pigeon lay dying alone in her cage at the Cincinnati Zoo. No one noticed she had fallen from her perch, no one came to help her, she was found dead sometime after 4pm that day. They once numbered in the BILLIONS and darkened the sky for HOURS as they flew by, you could hear them before they were ever seen. She was the last one, the last of her species, Sept. 1st, 1914 was a sad day for humanity. Today I am in mourning for what was lost that day. Today I took Pepe and placed him by our window. He looks different today, he looks dejected and depressed. He looks like he is watching the sky, I would swear his head moved as if he is listening. Watching and listening for the BILLIONS of his dead friends, watching and listening for the beginning of the flock that would darken the sky. He looks like he is ready to fly away, he looks like he is about to join the first flock he sees. He and I are  watching, he and I are listening, he and I are hoping for something that will never be again. We do this every year on Sept. 1st, year after year. Its' been 100 years now and nothing. The skies are silent and have been for 100 years but we do not lose hope. When I see dark clouds in the distance or hear a strange fluttering sound carried in the wind, I always grab Pepe. I grab him and I take him outside. I grab him in hope they are back. I grab him and wait. I grab him and hope. I grab him so he can fly away but they never come.

Pink Headed Duck Stamp, 2012, Mozambique // Sello del Pato de Cabeza Rosada, 2012, Mozambique

What is a Passenger Pigeon worth // Cuanto vale una Paloma Migratoria

What is a Passenger Pigeon specimen worth ? I get asked this question often. I answer by giving the person the following facts :

When the last "census" of passenger Pigeon specimens was done back in the very early 1960's there were 1532 specimens in the world. These were mostly in museums, with a handful in private collections. This number of 1532 included mostly "skins" and not actual "mounted" specimens. Then you have to ask yourself, of the mounted specimens, how many were in good or higher condition ? This means were they "museum display" quality. If all this is taken into account from the 1532 that existed then how many are in this condition now ? The answer is > no one knows but a good estimate is probably 100 to 250. This now leads to the second explanation and facts :

The number of Passenger Pigeon "skins" are the majority of what exist in Museum collections. They vary in quality depending on their condition but are not for the general public to see in a display. We then have to go back to the approx. 100 to 250 which are mounted and are in good to excellent condition. That is all that is left, that's it and they are very rarely put on sale to anyone or any institution. There have been about 5 Passenger Pigeon specimens which have come up for sale on Ebay and other Auction Houses, in the last 15 years. I have seen prices range from $3000 for one that had no head and was in horrific condition to $2.4 Million dollars for a beautiful specimen.

The question I ask the people who ask me is simple, what would you pay for something that everyday that passes becomes more and more rarer, in ANY condition ?  The Passenger Pigeon 'census" of the early 1960's listed 1532 known specimens BUT my own research and that of others has shown this number no longer exist. There are specimens which were destroyed in various ways since then and have disappeared.  My studies have shown that approx. 1300 to 1500 might still actually exist in all conditions. This makes the remaining specimens even rarer and among them a mounted Passenger Pigeon in excellent condition is extremely rare. My opinion as an expert is this, a Passenger Pigeon mounted specimen is worth anything from $10,000 and up for an extremely "very bad condition" specimen and $1 Million and up for a mounted specimen in excellent condition. The few specimens that exist every day get older and worn and tattered. There are wars and fires and mites that destroy them. The few existing ones become more and more valuable to the world and to science with each passing day.

The specimen I own "Pepe The Passenger Pigeon" is in extremely excellent condition. I have been offered sizable amounts of money for him, by private collectors and museums. I keep "Pepe" in a secure "fire proof" bank vault for protection against fire, thieves and burglars. I only take him out when I am going to give a Lecture or presentation and I always have Law Enforcement or Armed Security on the premises. I take no chances, as "Pepe" is worth his weight in Diamonds to posterity, science and the world.
        

Rock Dove Stamp, Turkey, 2007 // Sello de la Paloma Livia, Turkia, 2007

Passenger Pigeon // Paloma Migratoria

Dodo Bird Stamp, Mauritius, 2007 // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, Mauritius, 2007

Moa Stamp, Cuba, 1974 // Sello del Moa, Cuba, 1974

Mourning Dove and Passenger Pigeon, Birds of Canada, Imperial Tabacco Company, 1925 by Allan Brooks

1946, Passenger Pigeon, Wildlife Conservation Stamp, National Wildlife Federation

Passenger Pigeon Exhibit Photo, Gatlinburg, Tennessee (photo courtesy of Rita Leppert).

Cuban Finch (Grassquit) Stamp, Cuba, 1961-1962 // Sello del Pinzon Cubano, Cuba, 1961-1962.

Cuba, Pigeon's and Ellsworth Park, Union City, New Jersey // Cuba, Palomas y el Parque Ellsworth en Union City, New Jersey

My love of bird's and pigeon's go back to my earliest memories, when we had first escaped from Cuba, in January 1971. My mother decided to settle in Union City, New Jersey and my grandaunt (her father's sister) moved in to help my mother and I. We moved to 24th street and Bergenline Avenue and I would ask both my mother and my grandaunt about my grandparent's in Cuba, as well as my father who was unable to leave Cuba. My grandaunt told me that if I saw any bird's, that I could talk to them and that they would then fly to Cuba and give my messages to my relatives. I did this religiously, remember I was 3 year's old and always waited for a response which never came. I went crying to my grandaunt and told her that none of the little bird's I had spoken too had come back and bought me any messages from Cuba. She told me it was because I was "far" from the bird's and that I had to get very close to them otherwise they couldn't hear me. She also told me that these were "American Bird's and they had problem's understanding me in Spanish. She then suggested I ask a Pigeon to send my messages and told me there was a place close to our apartment where there seemed to be many of them and perhaps one of them spoke Spanish. I immediately started asking her about this mysterious place and my grandaunt took me to "Ellsworth Park" which was located one block away from our apartment, on 24th to 25th Street on Palisade Avenue. She called the park "El Parque de las Palomas" (Pigeon Park). They were dozens upon dozens of them there and they would get very close to us as we sat upon the benches. My grandaunt told me that if I fed them bread they would come very close and then I could give them my messages to Cuba. She also told me that there had to be at least one Pigeon there who spoke Spanish and eventually I would get a reply. My love for Bird's and Wild Life began during those "talk's" and specifically my love for Pigeon's. I was 3 year's old and as the month's came and went, I eventually stopped asking about my relative's in Cuba. They became memories. My grandaunt took me one last time to "Pigeon Park" when I was 6 year's old, shortly after that my mother remarried and we moved away. I remember the vivid memories of re-visiting that park over 20 year's later, in 1993. It was the last time I went there. I remember looking around, I remember sitting on the same bench my grandaunt and I sat on and I remember I sat there and watched the pigeon's very intently. I waited and sat there for 2 hour's. I watched each pigeon that approached me very carefully. I was waiting for them to speak, I was waiting for a message from the past. There were a hundred memories that came crashing into my head that day. I remember I cried, as I waited like I had when I was a little boy, for the messages I never received.     

Rock Pigeon Stamp, Turkey, 2007 // Sello de la Paloma Livia, Turkia, 2007

Passenger Pigeon Stamp with John James Audubon, 2008, Comores // Sello de la Paloma Migratoria con John James Audubon, 2008, Comores

California Condor Stamp, Mexico, 2009 // Sello del Condor de California, Mexico, 2009

Rock Dove Stamp, Cuba, 1999 // Sello de la Paloma Livia, Cuba, 1999

Review of "Lost Animals, Extinction and the Photographic Record" by Errol Fuller, Princeton University Press, 2014.

I was recently contacted by Princeton University Press and asked if I would be interested in doing a book review of Errol Fullers' new book "Lost Animals, Extinction and the Photographic Record". I immediately accepted the invitation, as Mr. Fuller is extremely famous for his books on Extinct and Endangered Species. I was told that I had to tell my reading audience that I did get a copy of the book for free and that I was not told what to write and to give my complete honest opinion as an expert on the Passenger Pigeon and other Extinct Species. I patiently waited for the book to arrive and after reading it, my opinion is a simple one >> DO NOT buy a single copy of this book, instead buy TWO. This book is amazing, it truly is. He covers 28 different species in the book, from the Passenger Pigeon to the Laughing Owl and just about everything in-between. The photographs are haunting, you cannot but feel sad at the loss of such beautiful creatures by the ignorance and stupidity of man. He gives a brief general history of each species and its demise and this is followed by the photographic evidence. The book is written in everyday language and will appeal to both the "layman" and the "expert". The photographs are amazingly disturbing, in many cases some species were only photographed once or twice and that is all we have left of them. Mr. Fuller hit it on the nail with this book. It literally tugs at ones heart strings to think that what you are looking at is all we have left of these beautiful creatures. My major complaint with this book is that it wasn't longer. It leaves you longing for more but sadly this is all there is. This is all that exists. My expert opinion is simple DO NOT buy a single copy of this book, instead buy TWO. This book needs to be shared. These photographs need to be seen and these beautiful and long gone species need to be remembered. I highly recommend Mr. Fullers' book, you can purchase a copy (or two) by clicking below :  

Pink Headed Duck Stamp, 1994, India // Sello del Pato de Cabeza Rosada, 1994, India

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Dodo Bird Stamp, 2007, Mauritius // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, 2007, Mauritius

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

 

You can visit the "Pepe" The Passenger Pigeon Amazon Store by visiting this link > http://astore.amazon.com/passengerpigeon-20

Names for the Passenger Pigeon in different European Languages // Nombres de la Paloma Migratoria en diferentes Idiomas Europeos

The people of the United States, Canada and Cuba had different names for the Passenger Pigeon. It was known by these names in the following European languages :

English (U.S. and Canada) -- Wild Pigeon, Wood Pigeon Wandering Long Tailed Dove and Passenger Pigeon

French  (Canada and Louisiana and Gulf Coast Alabama and Mississippi) -- Pigeon Ramier, Pigeon Sauvage, Ramier and Tourterelle

Spanish (Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Cuba) -- Paloma Migratoria, Paloma Pasajera, Paloma de la Carolina, Paloma Salvaje and Paloma Grande

Dutch (New York and Northern New Jersey) -- Boom Duif, Wilde Duif and Ringle Duif

Swedish (Southern New Jersey and Delaware) -- Villa Dufor and Dufor

German -- Wandertaube and Strichtaube

German (Pennsylvania "Dutch") -- Wilte Doub

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

You can visit the "Pepe The Passenger Pigeon" Amazon Store to learn more about the Passenger Pigeon >   http://astore.amazon.com/passengerpigeon-20

Passenger Pigeon Exhibit, Natural History Museum, London, Great Britain // Palomas Migratorias, Museo de la Historia Natural, Londres, Inglaterra

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Visit the "Pepe" The Passenger Pigeon Amazon Store >> http://astore.amazon.com/passengerpigeon-20

The "Pepe" The Passenger Pigeon Amazon Astore // La Tienda Amazon de "Pepe" La Paloma Migratoria

I welcome you to the new "Pepe" The Passenger Pigeon Amazon Astore. There are many books on the Passenger Pigeon, the Dodo Bird, the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, the Imperial Woodpecker, Cryptozoology as well as Bird Feeders, Feed and Bird Houses. You can visit the Astore by clicking on this link >> http://astore.amazon.com/passengerpigeon-20
Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Imperial Woodpecker Stamp, 1999, Tanzania // Sello del Carpintero Imperial, 1999, Tanzania

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Dodo Bird Stamp, 2007, Mauritius // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, 2007, Mauritius

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Photo of "Pepe" as he is about to drink a Delicious Coca-Cola // Foto de "Pepe" antes de tomarse una Deliciosa Coca-Cola

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Passenger Pigeon's, Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

These photo's were taken by Mr. Wm. Brito at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in March 2014.

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Poem on Passenger Pigeon, "Ghosts of Yesterday" by Sharon Sweet (Copyright 2014)

In my dreams I feel it long before I see it A hint, no more than a rumble in the ground Like the sound of a distant train That slowly grows louder and more insistent. Until its presence cannot be denied.

I see them, there they are! Do I dare believe my eyes? A tidal wave in the sky approaching Roiling, curving, moving as one One made of billions Billions as one. They are here!

The sound of infinite wings beating infinite times is deafening They are passing right over my head Sucking the light from the sky with their numbers and mass as I stand awestruck in a surreal darkness.

And still they come! Hours pass, days pass Their numbers do not die? There are enough to mark every star in the universe And still there are more. Always more.

Wednesday, September 2, 1914 Today I woke up And they were gone forever But still I listen, still I watch, still I hope.

**********************************************************
Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project  by visiting this link > http://ww.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Dodo Bird Stamp, 1994, Laos // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, 1994, Laos

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Passenger Pigeon for Sale // Venta de Paloma Migratoria

Do you know of anyone selling a Passenger Pigeon (mounted or a skin) ? If you do, please contact me at HistoryofTheSouth@Yahoo.Com and I would be happy to talk to them and include the Bird (photo's, information, etc.) in my upcoming study of existing Passenger Pigeon Specimen's. // Si conoces de alguien que tenga una Paloma Migratoria para venta, por favor pongase en contacto conmigo, me puede escribir a HistoryofTheSouth@Yahoo.Com

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

How many Passenger Pigeon's Specimen's Exist ? // Cuantas Palomas Migratoria's existen ?

The answer to this question is a very simple, "no one knows for sure". Paul Hahn attempted to track down every single known specimen, in 1963 both in Museum's and the few in Private Collection's. His book "Where is That Vanished Bird" lists a total of 1532 Specimens and 16 Complete Skeletons. There have been recent attempt's to recount the total number which still exist in Museum's and Private Collection's and some which were listed in 1963, are no longer in the Museum Inventories or have "disappeared" completely. There have also been some unknown specimen's which have miraculously appeared out of private collection's in the past decade. I would take a personal guess and say that between approx. 1300 to a very high 1500 exist between the known Specimen's listed in 1963 (of which 1500 or so might still exist today) and those that might still possibly exist in "Private Collection's". There has been no authoritive "Census" on how many exactly still exist and their specific condition (a mounted specimen or a skin) or if any more skeleton's or bones of the Passenger Pigeon have been found and or assembled. If I was asked "How Many Passenger Pigeon Specimen's Exist"? I would answer, "no one knows for sure but a good estimate would be between approximately 1300 to a very high of approx. 1500.

 Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Photo of "Martha", The last Passenger Pigeon // Foto de "Martha", la ultima Paloma Migratoria

This is a photo of "Martha" the last Passenger Pigeon. The photo was taken in 1914, at the Cincinnati Ohio Zoo. She was named after Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington, 1st President of the United States. Martha died on September 1st, 1914 and is now in the Smithsonian, in Washington, D.C. // Esta es una foto de "Martha" la ultima Paloma Migratoria. La foto fue tomada en el Zoologico de Cinncinnati, Ohio en 1914. "Martha" fue nombrada en memoria de Martha Washington, la esposa de George Washington, el primer Presidente de los Estados Unidos. "Martha" murio el 1ro de Septiembre, 1914 y su cadaver esta en el Museo Smithsonian, en Washington, D.C.

Please Donate $5.00 and help support the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Ivory Billed Woodpecker Stamp, 1996, Benin // Sello del Carpintero Real, 1996, Benin

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

 

 

The Passenger Pigeon by A.W. Schorger (This is a "Classic" on the Passenger Pigeon).

"A Feathered River Across The Sky" by Joel Greenberg (This book is a "New Classic" on the History and Extinction of The Passenger Pigeon. I highly recommend it !!)

Ivory Billed Woodpecker Stamp, 1991, Cuba // Sello del Carpintero Real, 1991, Cuba

 

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

 

Mourning Dove and James J. Audubon Stamp, 1985, Turks and Caicos Islands // Sello de la Paloma Tortola y de James J. Audubon, 1985, Islas Turks y Caicos

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Great Auk Stamp, 1974, Cuba // Sello del Gran Alca, 1974, Cuba

Please Donate $5.00 to the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Rock Dove Stamp, 1966, Cuba // Sello de la Paloma Bravia, 1966, Cuba

Please donate $5.00 and help support the Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project, by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Passenger Pigeon Stamp, 1974, Cuba // Sello de la Paloma Migratoria, 1974, Cuba

Please donate $5.00 and help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" by visiting this link  >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Dodo Bird Stamp, 1974, Cuba // Sello del Pajaro Dodo, 1974, Cuba

Please donate $5.00 and help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" at this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Passenger Pigeon Stamp, 1990, Tanzania // Sello de La Paloma Migratoria, 1990, Tanzania .

Please donate $5.00 and help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" at this link  >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Last Passenger Pigeon killed in New Jersey, 1896 // Ultima Paloma Migratoria matada en New Jersey, 1896

The last Passenger Pigeon killed in New Jersey was killed on June 23rd, 1896, in Englewood, Bergen County, New Jersey. // La ultima Paloma Migratoria matada en New Jersey fue el 23 de Junio, 1896, en Englewood, Condado de Bergen.

Please help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" by donating $5.00 at this link  >   http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Holding the world famous "Pepe The Passenger Pigeon" // Esta es una foto tomada sujetando la famosa Paloma Migratoria "Pepe".

Please help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" by donating $5.00 at this link  >  http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

The Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project // El Proyecto Educativo y Fotographo De La Paloma Migratoria

I have started a project to photograph as many people as possible with my Passenger Pigeon "Pepe". I want to raise awareness of the sad History of the Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon and to help raise awareness of Extinction and Endangered Species. I want each individual photographed with "Pepe" to have, keep and share their unique photo. I welcome individual's, group's - organization's and Politician's, Community Leader's, Teacher's, Professor's, Instructor's ect. to have their photo taken with "Pepe". // If you are in the Gulf Coast region or are travelling to Mobile, Alabama and would like to be photographed with "Pepe", please feel free to contact me at HistoryofTheSouth@Yahoo.Com // You can donate $5.00 and help me promote this project by visiting this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Last Passenger Pigeon Killed in Alabama, 1887. // Ultima "Paloma Migratoria" matada en el Estado De Alabama, 1887.

The last Passenger Pigeon killed in Alabama was in 1887. It was killed by Edward Pasteur of Greensboro, Hale County, Alabama during the winter of 1887. //// La ultima Paloma Migratoria matada en el Estado de Alabama fue en el invierno del 1887. Edward Pasteur de la ciudad de Greensboro, en el Condado de Hale, la mato durante ese invierno.

Please support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" by donating $5.00 at this link > http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es

Welcome to the Passenger Pigeon Blog // Bienvenidos al Blog de "La Paloma Migratoria"

My name is John ODonnell Rosales and I am one of a handful of people in the world to privately own a Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) specimen. I welcome you to the Official "The Passenger Pigeon Blog (La Paloma Migratoria). "Pepe" is a real Passenger Pigeon, he was killed sometime between the 1860's and 1880's, in Michigan and preserved and mounted. The last wild specimen to be shot was long thought to have been killed near Sargent's, Ohio, in March, 1900. There has been recent research that confirmed that the last wild Passenger Pigeon was actually killed, in 1902. There were still a handful of them in captivity and attempts were made to breed them, with no success. The last living Passenger Pigeon, named "Martha" died in captivity, in the Cincinnati, Ohio Zoo, on September 1st, 1914. There were unconfirmed report's well into the 1920's of very small group's of 3 to 5, as well as solitary individual's but these were never validated. The Passenger Pigeon population was once estimated to be in the Billion's (yes, Billion's). It ranged from Canada to The United States but could be found as far south as Mexico and Cuba, where it was called "La Paloma Migratoria" and as far east as Bermuda. I was able to acquire "Pepe" after many years of searching for a specimen and extreme patience. There are only approx. 1500 Passenger Pigeon Specimen's in the world and of those, most are "Skin's" and very few are Museum quality specimen's, such as "Pepe". I am using "Pepe" to educate children (and adult's) about Extinction, Endangered Species and Cryptozoology. It has been 100 year's now, that this beautiful creature was exterminated by the greed and stupidity of mankind. It still has lesson's to teach us and "Pepe" and I, will do our best, to do so. // I hold a Bachelor's and a Master of Art's and am an expert on the Passenger Pigeon, as well as other North American Extinct Species, Endangered Species and Cryptozoology. I am available to lecture or speak on the Passenger Pigeon, other Extinct Species, Endangered Species and Cryptozoology. I am also available for both print and radio interview's, in English or Spanish. You can contact me at HistoryofTheSouth@Yahoo.Com
Please help support the "Passenger Pigeon Education and Photography Project" by donating $5.00 at this  >> http://www.gofundme.com/7kf4es