AMERICAN IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER Campehilus p . principalis (Linnaeus) 



Order: PICIFORMES Family: PICIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A very large woodpecker, larger than a crow, with a 

 white bill, large patches of white on wings, and white lines on either side of neck. Male 

 with red, female with black crest. Differs from pileated woodpecker in having a white 

 rather than dark bill and much more white in wings which shows when not in flight. 

 Flight level not looping as in pileated woodpecker . Call a single note like the sound of 

 a toy tin horn. 



Present distribution : Only recent records are for SE Texas, southern Louisiana and 

 central South Carolina . Considerable effort has failed to produce reliable records 

 elsewhere in its former range . 



Former distribution : Resident in southeastern United States from southeastern Oklahoma, 

 northeastern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southeasten Illinois, and southeastern 

 North Carolina, southward to the Gulf coast of eastern Texas, eastward to southern Florida. 



Status : Probably very close to extinction because of scarcity of suitable habitat. 



Estimated numbers : No basis for estimating total numbers . 



Breeding rate in the wild : 3 to 5 eggs per year . 



Reasons for decline : Reduction of overmature forests with dead and dying trees which 

 supply the wood boring beetle larvae required for food. Illegal shooting may also be a 

 factor . 



Protective measures already taken : Strict legal protection including prohibition of 

 collection for scientific purposes . Search for birds and suitable habitat as first step in 

 planning appropriate conservation measures conducted by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries 

 and Wildlife from 1965 to 1968, and likely reports are being checked. Two timber management 

 compartments at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Florida) have been selected for 

 management in an effort to provide suitable habitat for ivory-billed woodpeckers which 

 might be living in the area. 



Measures proposed : Widescale search to locate remaining birds with help of playing of 

 sound recordings and aerial reconnaissance . Education to aid in proper identification of 

 bird and to prevent thoughtless shooting. Preservation of habitat, especially effort to save 

 scattered mature bottom land hardwoods. Publicity to inform public of the birds' needs, 

 habits , and general whereabouts . 



Number in captivity : Probably none . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



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