Carolina conure. 1752 illustration of the extinct Carolina conure, Conuropsis carolinensis, also known as the Carolina parakeet. This colourful bird, native to southeastern states of the USA, had a green body and wings, a yellow neck and a red head. The birds were killed in great numbers during the 19th century and their feathers used to make hats. Hunting them was not difficult as the species was not shy - even shotgun fire would not drive the birds away. The last zoo specimen died in 1914.