“The Unlikely Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon” Talk with Kyle Bagnall

“The Unlikely Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon” with Kyle Bagnall, Park Naturalist, Mackinac State Historic Parks at Little Traverse History Museum. FREE talk includes records from early explorers, missionaries and traders and tales of nesting birds in Petoskey.

In an effort to foster a greater love for Northern Michigan’s natural resources, local organizations are coming together this June to host a week of free, public events commemorating “The Great Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1878”.

The week-long series, running from June 15 through June 19, 2026, will culminate in the unveiling of a new bronze monument dedicated to the extinct bird.

The commemorative week is supported by numerous collaborating partners, including the Emmet County Historical Commission, Little Traverse Conservancy, State Historic Parks, Petoskey Regional Audubon Society, and the Crooked Tree Arts Center.

In addition to the scheduled events, the Little Traverse History Museum will be open all week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to stop by to view a taxidermy passenger pigeon and a wall mural depicting the 1800’s hunting of the birds in the Petoskey area.