Comment on "Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America".
We reanalyzed video presented as confirmation that an ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in Arkansas (Fitzpatrick et al., Reports, 3 June 2005, p. 1460). None of the features described as diagnostic of the ivory-billed woodpecker eliminate a normal pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). Although we support efforts to find and protect ivory-billed woodpeckers, the video evidence does not demonstrate that the species persists in the United States.
Post Office Box 1031, Concord, MA 01742, USA. sibleyart@yahoo.com
David A
DA
Sibley
Louis R
LR
Bevier
Michael A
MA
Patten
Chris S
CS
Elphick
D000818:Animals; D001131:Arkansas; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004777:Environment; D005241:Feathers / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005426:Flight, Animal; D010858:Pigmentation; D014741:Video Recording; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology