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Tahitian sandpiper, Prosobonia leucoptera. Extinct
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Tahitian sandpiper, Prosobonia leucoptera. Extinct
Tahitian sandpiper, Prosobonia leucoptera. Extinct. (White-winged sandpiper, Tringa leucoptera.) Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by John Latham from his own A General History of Birds, Winchester, 1824
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Media ID 23187714
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Extinct Latham Ornithology Sandpiper Tahiti Tahitian Tringa Leucoptera White Winged
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite hand-colored copperplate print showcases the Tahitian Sandpiper, Prosobonia leucoptera, a tragically extinct bird species endemic to the islands of Tahiti and Moorea in the Pacific Ocean. The Tahitian Sandpiper, also known as the White-winged Sandpiper due to its distinctive white wing markings, was first documented by European explorers in the late 18th century. John Latham, a prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, meticulously drew and engraved this image from his own 'A General History of Birds' published in Winchester, England, in 1824. The Tahitian Sandpiper was a small, plump shorebird with a round body and short, orange-red legs. Its plumage was predominantly brown with white feathers on the wings and underparts, creating a striking contrast. The bird's diet consisted mainly of insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, which it foraged for along the sandy shores of its native islands. Unfortunately, the Tahitian Sandpiper's population declined rapidly due to habitat loss and introduced predators, such as rats and cats, which preyed upon their eggs and young. By the late 19th century, the species was believed to be extinct, with no confirmed sightings reported since 1891. This beautiful and historically significant print serves as a poignant reminder of the Tahitian Sandpiper's existence and the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations. The intricate details and vibrant colors captured in this copperplate engraving showcase the remarkable skill and dedication of John Latham and his contemporaries in documenting the natural history of the world around them.
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