The heath hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) is an extinct subspecies of the greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), a large bird in the grouse family found in North America. It disappeared in 1932.
Historically, heath hens lived in scrubby, open areas along the coasts of North America, from southern New Hampshire to northern Virginia. Other prairie-chicken subspecies lived in prairies stretching from Texas north to Indiana and the Dakotas, as well as parts of mid-southern Canada in earlier times.
During the colonial period, heath hens were very common in their habitat. Because of their abundance, settlers hunted them heavily for food. Some believe that heath hens, not wild turkeys, were served at the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving meal. By the late 1700s, heath hens were known as a cheap and plentiful food source. Earlier, Thomas L. Winthrop noted that heath hens lived on the Boston Common, likely when the area was used for grazing livestock. He also reported that servants sometimes negotiated with new employers to avoid eating heath hens more than two or three times a week.
Taxonomy
A first comparison of genetic markers called mtDNA D-loop haplotypes between heath hen remains and prairie-chickens showed an unexpected result: all tested heath hens formed a group very different from mainland birds, most closely resembling greater prairie-chickens from Wisconsin. A later study by Johnson and Dunn confirmed these findings but suggested a different relationship, placing the heath hen closer to the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus).
However, Johnson and Dunn warned that these results should not be overinterpreted. While the lesser prairie-chicken is a distinct species, the genetic differences seen in the heath hen might not necessarily mean it is also a separate species. Small populations that have experienced bottlenecks (sharp drops in population size) often show greater genetic differences due to genetic drift, even if they are not taxonomically distinct. Since all heath hen specimens studied by Johnson and Dunn came from Martha's Vineyard—a place with limited space and little genetic exchange with the mainland—their low genetic diversity and apparent uniqueness may stem from being a small island population.
After the heath hen disappeared from the mainland, prairie-chickens were introduced to the Eastern Seaboard but did not survive well. Many specimens labeled as heath hens in public collections today may not be true heath hens, especially those from the mainland or with unclear origins. For example, only seven confirmed heath hen eggs are known to exist in public collections. The genus Tympanuchus evolved rapidly, creating high morphological differences between species but low genetic differences, which makes research more complex.
It is also important to note that true heath hens (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) had distinct physical features that set them apart from greater prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus). Even if introductions of greater prairie-chickens began around 1810, a 60-year period would not have allowed enough time for these subspecies to evolve into something so similar to heath hens that they could not be distinguished.
For example, the lesser prairie-chicken differs from the greater prairie-chicken in size, color, and patterns, and can be easily separated from it both physically and genetically. The same is true for the heath hen, which was smaller, darker, and had more distinct patterns.
The heath hen’s unique traits and the failure of early prairie-chicken introductions raise questions about whether the heath hen was uniquely adapted to its oceanic and forested environment. Future attempts to reintroduce western prairie-chickens to Martha's Vineyard may fail due to competition for resources, which could harm the already declining prairie-chicken populations. More research is needed, such as analyzing mainland specimens to determine their taxonomic classification using both genetic and physical traits.
Description
The heath hen is very similar to other types of greater prairie-chickens found in the Great Plains. However, it is slightly smaller. The bird's length is about 17 inches (43 cm), and its weight is around two pounds (0.9 kg). Some people said a heath hen weighed three pounds, but scientists later could not confirm this. Key differences in appearance include a strong reddish color in the heath hen's feathers, especially around the neck area, and more noticeable stripes on the chest and sides. Their horns, called pinnae, are usually pointed, and their tails are a greyish brown.
Extinction
Because of heavy hunting and possible loss of their homes, the heath hen population dropped quickly. By the 1840s, all heath hens were gone from the mainland. Around 300 remained on Martha's Vineyard, near Massachusetts, but by 1890, this number had dropped to 120–200 birds. This decline was mainly due to attacks by wild cats and hunting by people. By the late 1800s, only about 70 birds were left. Scientists started tracking the population in 1908. A hunting ban and the creation of the "Heath Hen Reserve" (now Manuel F. Correllus State Forest) helped protect the birds. With conservation efforts, the population grew from 100 to about 2,000 by 1916. By the mid-1910s, watching the birds on their mating grounds became a popular activity for tourists.
The 1916 nesting season was a difficult time for the heath hens. A fire burned about one-third of the island, killing 80% of the birds, leaving only 150. The next winter was harsh, and goshawks moved to the island, further reducing the population. Edward Howe Forbush noted that fewer than 100 birds remained after these events. The remaining birds had more males than females, which caused problems for future reproduction. Some males were overly aggressive during mating, harming females and eggs. Attempts to breed the birds in captivity failed because some males had undeveloped testes, possibly due to poor diet or breeding practices. The species struggled to survive harsh winters and diseases. The last recorded birth of a heath hen was in 1924. In 1925, the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England offered $2,000 yearly for conservation efforts.
By early 1927, only 11 males and 2 females remained. Despite modern protection methods, the population dropped to just a few males by the end of the year. After December 8, 1928, only one male was left. This last heath hen was nicknamed "Booming Ben." He was last seen on his traditional mating ground near West Tisbury and the Martha's Vineyard Airport on March 11, 1932, during the breeding season. He likely died shortly after, around 8 years old, from unknown causes. Footage of Booming Ben, recorded by Alfred Otto Gross in the 1930s, was digitized in 2017 and is now available in Bowdoin College's special collections.
Heath hens were among the first bird species in America that people tried to save from extinction. In 1791, a bill to protect heath hens and other game was introduced in New York State. Some lawmakers misunderstood the bill, thinking it protected "Indians and other heathen." Although the law passed, it was hard to enforce.
Though efforts to save the heath hen failed, they helped start conservation efforts for other species. The creation of the reserve on Martha's Vineyard may have worsened the heath hen's decline. Fires were natural in the area, but attempts to stop fires instead of using controlled burns led to poor habitat quality. This made the 1916 fire more damaging. Lack of knowledge about fire ecology also led to rules requiring firebreaks to protect the heath hen.
Since the late 1990s, scientists have discussed restoring the original shrubland and introducing the closely related greater prairie-chicken as an "umbrella species" to improve habitat quality. Research projects, such as those by the American nonprofit Revive & Restore, aim to bring back the heath hen using DNA from preserved cells to reshape the DNA of greater prairie-chickens.