Here's an appealing tidbit from Wikipedia!

"The bird is believed to have played a large ecological role in the composition of presettlement forests of eastern North America.[34] For instance, forests while the Passenger Pigeon was extant were dominated by white oaks.[34] This species germinated in the fall, therefore producing acorns during the spring to be devoured and spread by the pigeons.[34] The absence of the Passenger Pigeon's seed dispersal may have led to the modern dominance of red oaks.[34] At roosting sites, few plants grew for years after the pigeons left.[34] Additionally, the immense amount of dung present at these sites increased both the frequency and intensity of forest fires.[34]"

Gotta love the last line. The aroma of a wildfire burning its way through a immense amount of dung would truly be an olfactory delight. Mmmm, mmmm, tasty!

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now