Overview

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Largest and rarest North American woodpecker, jet-black with white wing patches, large red crest, black chin, throat. Thick white stripes extend from bill to rear of wings. In flight, wings appear white with black tips and thick, black center stripe. Pale, large bill.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Historically ranged in southeastern U.S., from Ohio River Valley to east Texas, the Gulf coast, and Florida; thought to be extinct for more than 60 years, but possibly rediscovered in the "Big Woods" region of eastern Arkansas. Preferred habitats include old growth, bottomland forests. Even healthy populations of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were sparse, needing about 16 square kilometers to support one pair.

Listen to Call

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Voice Text

"kent", "yank, yank, yank"

• Considered extinct for many years, there has been recent evidence that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may still live. In 2004, there was a reported sighting in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge of Arkansas. Scientists believe the evidence of the continued existence of these birds is credible. Since 2004 there have been reports of sightings in Florida as well. However, these are not as well substantiated.
• It was given the species name principalis because it was believed to be the largest woodpecker. In fact there are at least two larger, one from Mexico and one from Southeast Asia.
• This species also experienced dire persecution. For example, in Cuba, it was hung outside homes to prevent witchcraft.
• A group of woodpeckers has many collective nouns, including a "descent", "drumming", and "gatling" of woodpeckers.

• Acorn Woodpecker
• Black-backed Woodpecker
• Pileated Woodpecker
• White-headed Woodpecker
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

Author

Gary Owen Dick

Artist

Irina Rud-Volga