On This Day: June 17, 1987 - The Dusky Seaside Sparrow Becomes Extinct | We Love the Eighties – 80s Radio, Forums, and Pop Culture Community

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Overview Discussion

Jun 17, 2025

Pete

Mr. Eighties

Pete has published a news story:

On This Day: June 17, 1987 - The Dusky Seaside Sparrow Becomes Extinct.

On this day June 17, 1987, the last known Dusky Seaside Sparrow died in captivity, marking the official extinction of the species. Native to the marshes of Florida's Merritt Island and the St. Johns River, the bird was first discovered in the late 1800s and was known for its dark plumage and distinct song.

Habitat destruction caused by development and flood control efforts drastically reduced the population by the 1970s. Despite conservation attempts, the decline continued. The final male...

Read the full story here...