How did the passenger pigeon get its name?

Answer 1

The term 'passenger' was taken from the French word 'passager' which means 'to pass by'. Passenger pigeons took quite a while to 'pass by' because in the 1800's and before, their flocks were so huge. This is probably where the name came from.

Answer 2

The passenger pigeon gets its name from the French word "passager," which means "passing by" or "on a journey." This name likely refers to the bird's migratory behavior and the large flocks that would pass through an area. The passenger pigeon is now extinct, with the last known individual dying in 1914.