Once the largest woodpecker in North America, the ivory-billed woodpecker is likely extinct today. The bird was potentially rediscovered in Arkansas in 2004, but the highly controversial evidence of that rediscovery has not been sufficiently confirmed.
Common Name:
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, Lord God Bird, Grail Bird
Scientific Name:
Campephilus principalis
Appearance:
- Bill: Long, stout, ivory white
- Size: 20 inches long with 30-inch wingspan, long tail
- Colors: Black, white, red, ivory, yellow
- Markings: Dimorphic species. Males have allover black plumage with a bold white streak from the cheek to the back of the wing where it meets a triangular white patch formed when both wings are folded. The eyes are pale yellow, and the ivory bill stands out on a dark face. The head is topped with a large crest that is black in front and red on the back and sides. Females have the same markings but the entire crest is black. For both genders, legs and feet are dark.
Foods:
Insects, fruits, berries, nuts
Habitat and Migration:
Ivory-billed woodpeckers rely on swampy forests with mature trees, and the destruction of that habitat was the likely cause of their extinction. While the exact extent of this woodpecker's traditional range is unknown, sightings were recorded as far north as the Ohio River valley and as far west as eastern Texas, though the birds were likely more populous along the Gulf Coast and into Florida. Ivory-billed woodpeckers were also seen in similar habitats in Cuba. These birds did not migrate, but may have been nomadic in seeking out suitable food sources.
Vocalizations:
The call of the ivory-billed woodpecker was a loud, nasal "kent-kent-kent" or "yenk-yenk-yenk" repeated in an even series of notes without drastic pitch changes. The characteristic drumming of these birds was a rapid double knock, though it could consist of more than just two beats.
Behavior:
These woodpeckers were found in pairs during most of the year, though family groups formed after the nesting season and juvenile birds would remain with their parents for up to a year. They could be aggressive birds, and were seen harassing and chasing invaders in their territory. For birders, however, ivory-billed woodpeckers were often secretive and hard to see, often because of the difficulty of birding in their preferred swampy habitat.
Reproduction:
These were monogamous birds believed to mate for life after courtship displays that included mutual preening. A mated pair would raise one brood of 1-6 eggs per year, with both parents taking turns to incubate the egg(s) for 12-15 days. After hatching, both parents cared for the altricial young for an additional 27-30 days.
Attracting Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers:
Even decades ago when these birds were abundant, they were never common backyard birds. Leaving dead trees available for beetle larvae would help provide a food source for ivory-billed woodpeckers, and when many southeastern swamps were destroyed for agriculture or development, the woodpeckers went with them.
Similar Birds:
- Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
- Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
Photo – Ivory-Billed Woodpecker – Male © Jerry A. Payne / USDA Agricultural Research Service
