Which species was extirpated due to market hunting and intense hunting pressure as discussed in relation to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)?

The Passenger Pigeon is a key example of a species that was extirpated due to market hunting and intense hunting pressure, which played a significant role in the discussions surrounding the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Once among the most numerous birds in North America, the Passenger Pigeon experienced rapid population declines in the 19th century as a result of unsustainable hunting practices and a high demand for their meat.

Market hunting, which involved taking large numbers of birds for commercial sale, coupled with habitat loss, contributed to the decline of the species. By the early 20th century, the Passenger Pigeon had become extinct, with the last known individual dying in captivity in 1914. This tragic case underscored the necessity for protective legislation like the MBTA, aimed at safeguarding migratory birds from similar fates by regulating hunting and conserving their habitats.

The other choices do not fit this specific context as closely as the Passenger Pigeon. Black Ducks and Trumpeter Swans have faced their own conservation challenges but were not eliminated to the extent of being extirpated. Sage Grouse populations have been affected by various factors, including habitat loss and hunting pressures, but they have not reached the point of extinction.