Humans have wiped out nearly 20% of ALL bird species over the past 50,000 years because of hunting

• A study found humans have wiped out 469 bird species from the Earth over the last 50,000 years
• The extinctions were caused by humans overhunting the birds
• Most of the extinct birds lived on islands, were very large and flightless 

• Humans have wiped out 469 bird species from the Earth over the last 50,000 years, a new study reveals.

  Scientists at Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute found avian endured a major extinction event starting 20,000 years ago that ended with up to 20 percent of species disappearing - but researchers say the real number is much higher.

  The team found that most of the extinct species were very large, lived on islands and were flightless.Humans have wiped out 469 bird species from the Earth over the last 50,000 years, a new study reveals.

  Scientists at Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute found avian endured a major extinction event starting 20,000 years ago that ended with up to 20 percent of species disappearing - but researchers say the real number is much higher.

  The team found that most of the extinct species were very large, lived on islands and were flightless.