Ivory Bill Woodpecker
Posted on 09/26/2006 5:35:56 AM PDT by blam
Birders excited about woodpecker sightings
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
By BILL FINCH
Environment Editor
Auburn University researchers published evidence today of what some are describing as an ivory-bill woodpecker "Shangri-La" in the Florida Panhandle, a couple of hours east of Mobile.
Researchers said they've had 13 sightings of the ivory bill, long thought to be extinct, and have recorded some 300 distinctive calls and sounds associated with the giant woodpecker, the largest in the United States and a virtual Holy Grail for many birders.
The last clear photographs of the bird -- and uncontested proof of its existence -- date to the mid-1930s in Louisiana.
In a paper to be published today in the online journal Avian Conservation & Ecology, the researchers also will provide evidence of some 20 roost cavities in the Choctawhatchee River basin north of Panama City, Fla., and distinctive foraging techniques they believe to be unique to ivory bills.
The researchers acknowledged that the evidence is not conclusive and did not release any photographs. But even some skeptics of previous ivory-bill claims have described the evidence as exciting and compelling.
(Excerpt) Read more at al.com ...
Curiously, when my lovely and gracious girlfriend and I went to the Florida panhandle last weekend -- and we visited her favorite 'mystical forest' -- it was rich with woodpeckers. Cool boids!
Aren't they a little late? You would think enviros would have wanted this to be released prior to the FAA approving last week that a new airport could be built in Panama City area.
When I lived in Panama City (2001-04) we had lots of woodpeckers in our backyard. Cool little birds.
I don't know if I actually believe this or not. I think I am going to wait for solid evidence.
If it is indeed an ivory bill I think it is would not be too late to stop there will be all types of injunctions
Ivory Bill Woodpecker
We have many many woodpeckers here, but THE IVORY BILLED Woodpecker is a rather large species. There is its cousin from the Carribean that is seen here from time to time. That's what they probably saw.............
They may have been wearing that cool 'Predator' camouflage suit.
Birders Excited About Woodpecker Sightings (Ivory Bill - Florida)
In other news, riot police and National Guard units were called in when the birders became disorderly in a pre-dawn celebration. Cars were over-turned and set ablaze and stores looted.
"In all my years of law enforcement, I've never witnesseed anything like this," said one police official. "We've hit them with tear gas, rubber bullets and fire hoses, but they just keep rioting. I don't know if they're drunk, drugged or just hyped up about the woodpecker, but this has got to end."
I live next door in Santa Rosa Beach and see them all the time in my yard as well.
From what I've been told, they go after the ants that seem to infest the pine trees around here. Wierd that the ants doo more harm to the trees than the woodpeckers.
From Wikipedia
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is one of the largest woodpecker species in the world. The largest is the closely related Imperial Woodpecker (C. imperialis) of western Mexico, another rare species which is very likely to be extinct. The Ivory-billed measures from 48 to 53 cm (19 to 21 in) in length and 450 to 570 g (1.0 to 1.25 lb) in weight, with short legs and feet ending in large, curved claws.
Ivory Bill Woodpecker
This is what I saw on my trees...
I know folks with a place in the country north of PC. About two years ago, we saw a exceptionally big Woodpecker in their woods. However, they haven't seen one since.
Do they taste like chicken?
Beautiful bird!
That, indeed, is the IBW, The two "Racing Stripes" down the back and a light colored beak. But, it could also be a Zapata IBW, from Mexico, that comes here to peck trees that American IBW's won't...............
You probably saw the Pilated Woodpecker...the Ivory Bill has not been seen (confirmed) since the 1930's. We have the Pilated here too. Big bird.
Pilated Woodpecker
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