Heath Hen

The Heath Hen, Tymphanucus cupido cupido, was a distinctive subspecies of the Greater Prairie-Chicken, Tymphanucus cupido, a large North American bird in the grouse family. Heath Hens lived in the scrubby barrens of New England, whereas the Prairie Chickens lived from Texas north to Indiana and the Dakotas. Heath Hens were once common in their habitat, but being a gallinaceous bird, they were hunted by settlers extensively for food.

Eventually, all heath hens were extirpated on the mainland. There were a few left on the island of Martha's Vineyard, off Massachusetts. These were protected, and the population grew to almost 3000. However, severe winters combined with a destructive fire during the nesting season brought the numbers down quickly. Soon, there was only one left and he was lovingly nicknamed "Booming Ben." He died sometime in the 1930s.

Heath Hens were one of the first bird species that Americans tried to save from extinction. Although the efforts did not result in the desired effect, it paved the way for conservation of other species. Also, there has been some talk that someday, Greater Prairie-chickens might be introduced into suitable habitat in the northeast USA to try to recreate the Heath Hen of past.