So why are these crows "not-so-ordinary"? Because they are 'Alalas, the Hawaiian Crows, and these three represent about 9% of the remaining population of this species. They are on the brink of extinction. So how can a crow be endangered? The reason of its decline and extinction in the wild is unknown, although avian malaria passed by the non-endemic mosquito is believed to be a contributing factor. The last two known "wild" individuals of this species disappeared in 2002. There are 38 individuals in captive breeding facilities, but attempts to reintroduce captive-bred birds into the wild have been hampered by predation by the Hawaiian hawk or ‘Io (which is also endangered). Some scientists believe that the small number of remaining individuals may be too small to offer a diverse gene pool bringing the ‘Alala to the point that the species can no longer recover. For ways you can help stop the tide of extinction check out: http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/State_of_the_Birds_06_14_07.html Rendered in Poser7 with a photo background. Model Credits: Songbird ReMix "More Threatened Endangered, Extinct" and RDNA Old Wood.