Hypothetical species

A 1722 illustration by Jean-Baptiste Labat of three parrots on Guadeloupe. There are no remains of these parrots and so accurate taxonomic classification is impossible.

Several species have been assumed to exist, but due to a lack of physical evidence they can only be regarded as potential species. Hypothetical species are usually believed to be extinct. They have caused confusion, as they may have been a separate species, a subspecies, an introduced species or a misidentification.[1]

  1. ^ Fuller, Errol (1987). Extinct Birds. Penguin Books (England). p. 131. ISBN 0-670-81787-2.