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.

Range and Habitat

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.

Breeding and Nesting

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: One to five eggs are laid in a cavity excavated in a dead or partially dead tree. Eggs are incubated for 20 days by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Feeds on insects, primarily beetle larvae, and sometimes fruits and nuts. Requires extensive stands of mature forests with many recently dead, but still standing, trees where beetle larvae live. When foraging, strips the still-tight bark from dead trees.

Vocalization

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Call is a nasal "kent", similar to the toot of a tin horn; also known for a unique double-knock made when striking a tree with bill. Song is a nasal, clarinet-like "yank, yank, yank", often given in series.

Similar Species

Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Pileated Woodpecker is smaller, does not show white on wings when perched, has red crest in sexes, and has gray to black bill.