Regional Extinction of Three Game Birds (Family: Phasianidae) in İstanbul Before the Founding of the Turkish Republic

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the regional extinction processes of three game bird species—Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix), and Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus)—whose local populations were documented in pre-Republican İstanbul. By situating İstanbul’s biodiversity loss within a historical context, this study aims to offer insights into contemporary conservation policies. Materials and Methods: For each species, historical observations were compiled, and these data were organized chronologically to illustrate the species’ distribution, rarity trends and the reported sightings within İstanbul. Records supporting the presence of species in İstanbul and its environs were compared against their natural distribution ranges. This comparison assessed whether the populations in İstanbul were naturally established native populations or introduced ones. Results: Belonging to the Phasianidae family, these birds were not only subjects of naturalistic observation during the Ottoman period but also integral to hunting traditions, culinary culture, and economic life. Travel journals and naturalists’ articles indicate that these species were observed, hunted, and consumed in the vicinity of İstanbul between the 17th and 19th centuries. Conclusion: The findings indicate that intensive hunting and the live bird trade exerted pressure on these small and vulnerable populations. Even though their habitats remained largely intact, these species eventually disappeared from the region.

Keywords

• Gamebirds
• Hunting
• Historical Ornithology
• İstanbul
• Phasianidae

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