The CP became near extinct during the 19th century, otherwise known as the 1800's.......and what was the population along the east coast during those years and why didn't the bird expand westward since there was plenty of habitat for it to thrive in?
Once again, I offer that there is no substantive evidence that that bird was ever a native of this country but rather an import from South America that managed briefly to thrive on this continent until it finally died off..........not because it was shot off.
The last sighting was in 1910, and was declared extinct in 1938.
and why didn't the bird expand westward since there was plenty of habitat for it to thrive in?
It was found from southern New York and Wisconsin to Kentucky, Tennessee and the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic seaboard to as far west as eastern Colorado.