Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Passenger pigeon

passenger pigeon

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/September 1. 2016 by Brianboulton (talk) 22:59, 15 August 2016 (UTC)



The passenger pigeon or wild pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) is an extinct species of pigeon that was endemic to North America. Its common name is derived from the French word passager, meaning "passing by", due to the migratory habits of the species. The passenger pigeon mainly inhabited the deciduous forests of eastern North America, primarily around the Great Lakes. The pigeon migrated in enormous flocks, and was once the most abundant bird in North America, numbering around 3 to 5 billion at the height of its population. A very fast flyer, it could reach 100 km/h (62 mph). The bird fed mainly on mast, as well as fruits and invertebrates. It practiced communal roosting and communal breeding. Passenger pigeons were hunted by Native Americans, but hunting intensified after the arrival of Europeans, particularly in the 19th century. Pigeon meat was commercialized as cheap food. The last captive birds were divided in three groups around the turn of the 20th century. Martha, thought to be the last passenger pigeon, died on September 1, 1914, at the Cincinnati Zoo. Eradication of the species has been described as one of the greatest and most senseless extinctions induced by humans.
 * Most recent similar article(s): 2 July
 * Main editors: FunkMonk, 7&amp;6=thirteen
 * Promoted: March 2016
 * Reasons for nomination: anniversary of assumed extinction
 * Support as nominator. Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:24, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Support great article, meets the requirements. Also very sweet looking, as far as pigeons go.. -- samtar talk or stalk 15:33, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Support fine comprehensive article, with a fascinating selection of images -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 17:34, 18 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Support as one of the listed co-creators. I would note that this article has been in development for years, and there are really a lot of other contributors who did worthwhile and unheralded spadework.  It took roughly 2,000 edits to get this article to where it is today.  I believe that the lessons in the tragic and wanton mass extinction of this species are something that deserves further notice.  I also believe that this article is credible and informative.  It reflects well on the Wikipedia project.   7&amp;6=thirteen (☎) 18:58, 21 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Likewise, as a writer on the article I'm not sure if my vote is eligible, but it was intentionally written with TFA on September 1 in mind. FunkMonk (talk) 23:55, 21 July 2016 (UTC)
 * We don't really "vote" here. Supports are indicators of community approval to main page display, and you're welcome to register yours. Brianboulton (talk) 08:49, 22 July 2016 (UTC)


 * Support. Very interesting. Icem4k (talk) 16:03, 22 July 2016 (UTC)
 * Support A poignant date to commemorate. Miyagawa (talk) 07:52, 8 August 2016 (UTC)
 * Query How long does this stay open? And more importantly, when do we need to gt this approved assuming it in fact is running September 1st? 7&amp;6=thirteen (☎) 19:56, 11 August 2016 (UTC)
 * Support Very interesting read, and definitely should be on the main page. Aoba47 (talk) 05:26, 13 August 2016 (UTC)