Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Birders Excited About Woodpecker Sightings (Ivory Bill - Florida)
Press Register ^ | 9-26-2006 | Bill Finch

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bill; bird; birders; cryptobiology; excited; fla; ivory; ivorybill; ivorybillwoodpecker; ornithology; sightings; woodpecker
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last
To: blam
When I lived inside the beltway in Northern Va., we had two pileated woodpeckers that would make the rounds through our yard every day. Since the ivory bill woodpecker is even larger with similar coloring and markings, I would love to see one some day.
21 posted on 09/26/2006 6:01:42 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Rare Woodpecker Sighted On North Carolina Golf Course!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

22 posted on 09/26/2006 6:12:04 AM PDT by TommyDale (Iran President Ahmadinejad is shorter than Tom Daschle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Campophilus Principalis


23 posted on 09/26/2006 6:13:50 AM PDT by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mel

You are probably right, and I think it would be magnificent to see these creations - however, they had similar news last year that did not pan out. East Texas, IIRC.


24 posted on 09/26/2006 6:24:43 AM PDT by bwteim (bwteim = Begin With The End In Mind)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Dixie Yooper

"When I lived inside the beltway in Northern Va., we had two pileated woodpeckers that would make the rounds through our yard every day."

Here in Springfield, Va I see them occasionally in my back yard. They are a sight to behold.


25 posted on 09/26/2006 6:35:23 AM PDT by billhilly (DU Funnies pingee # 911)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: blam

I would like to see a woodpecker that big..

On my land in Tx I have the Red Bellied Woodpecker and will leave some dead trees standing just for him.
(or them, as there may be 2 or more)

http://www.audubon.org/chapter/tx/tx/jr/docs/birds_of_texas/red_bellied_woodpecker.html


26 posted on 09/26/2006 6:37:53 AM PDT by No Blue States
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: billhilly
Here in Springfield, Va I see them occasionally in my back yard. They are a sight to behold.

If you get the chance to take a picture of one, please post it. I've seen almost every WP in person but that one.

27 posted on 09/26/2006 6:43:39 AM PDT by Dysart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: billhilly

They used to let me get within 10 feet from them when I was on my riding lawn mower. Big birds, well over 12" high.


29 posted on 09/26/2006 6:44:21 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

Slightly off subject but still on birds..

I was wildlife watching in my forest when nearly a dozen Blue Jays appeared to be hunting as a group..they were making a terrible racket trying to scare up insects is my guess. The worked their way as a group across the canopy and eventually disappeared.

It was interesting to me because I didnt know they hunted as a group and always thought they were solitary.


30 posted on 09/26/2006 6:49:13 AM PDT by No Blue States
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: No Blue States

I wish there were more people like you


31 posted on 09/26/2006 6:59:22 AM PDT by mel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Dixie Yooper

"They used to let me get within 10 feet from them when I was on my riding lawn mower. Big birds, well over 12" high."

The Nuthatch does the same. They are cute little things, and completely unafraid.

Several woodpeckers also allow close approaches.


32 posted on 09/26/2006 7:19:29 AM PDT by billhilly (DU Funnies pingee # 911)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: billhilly

"The Nuthatch does the same. They are cute little things, and completely unafraid"

I always get a kick out of how they go down a tree trunk, head first.


33 posted on 09/26/2006 7:25:12 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Dixie Yooper

Me too. We get about 25 species, including the Nuthatches, in our back yard. We have feeders, including thistle socks for the Gold Finches, and they flock to those things.


34 posted on 09/26/2006 7:31:46 AM PDT by billhilly (DU Funnies pingee # 911)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: TommyDale

Yep, Woody Woodpecker is obviously a pileated. His song sounds a bit like the pileated's call, too.


35 posted on 09/26/2006 7:38:33 AM PDT by joylyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: billhilly
When we lived in Annandale, the highlight of our backyard bird watching was when we spotted two scarlet tanagers one evening. For the next 5 years, we never saw them again.
36 posted on 09/26/2006 7:40:39 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Dixie Yooper

I saw one of those in the Wisconsin woods many years ago, it was the most beautiful bird I've ever seen.


37 posted on 09/26/2006 8:04:34 AM PDT by mallardx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: blam
I love birds and bird-watching. I have since I was a little kid. Don't ask me why.

My rarest sighting here in MA: a rose-breasted grossbeak. Pretty bird.

38 posted on 09/26/2006 8:07:19 AM PDT by Aquinasfan (When you find "Sola Scriptura" in the Bible, let me know)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: No Blue States

Yellowhammer Woodpecker
(Alabama State Bird)

39 posted on 09/26/2006 8:09:07 AM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: No Blue States
"It was interesting to me because I didnt know they hunted as a group and always thought they were solitary."

I've seen that too. I thought they were fussing and fighting, lol.

40 posted on 09/26/2006 8:11:28 AM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson