I really hope they are not extinct. However, until someone actually gets
a clear photo or video of one, I'll have to stay in the skeptic camp.
Eric Miller
I think many of us feel that way. If they do still exist (which is
unlikely - just a "hope"), it's problematic whether there would be mating
pairs that would enable them to extend the population beyond their current
lifespan.
MaryL
The ABA publication "Birding" this month has several articles about
the Ivorty-billed Woodpecker. One of them is an eye witness account
from the Congaree Swamp im South Carolina. The sighting was in 1987.
the Congaree is huge and contains some of the oldest trees in the
South. it was initially saved because the then governorof SC
convinced the powers-that -be that the bird still lived there. I have
good birding friends who are searching there for it. They are sworn
to secrecy if they find it but of course the news will get out
eventually. I also have a friend who swears up and down that he saw a
female near the Congaree river area a few years ago. He has spent his
life hunting and fishing all over SC--deep in the woods and swamps. I
can understand not being sure about a male but if you see a "Pileated'
Woodpecker that appears too big and has a black crest then I think you
can be sure it is something else. The article on how we lost the
Springer Tract, the last known place that had breeding Ivory-bills, is
too sad to read!
"Keep hope alive!"
Mary Ann
Barnwell, SC
>The ABA publication "Birding" this month has several articles about
>the Ivorty-billed Woodpecker.
These articles are available online at:
Can a bird THAT size remain hidden for so long?
Also, wouldn't the remaining birds probably be all related to each
other, i.e., be very inbred?
If they really ARE still out there, who CARES???
--
Jan Owen
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I agree.
But I think you misunderstood me... I meant if they're OUT there, who CARES
if they've survived by being inbred... They're OUT there!!!
>> Also, wouldn't the remaining birds probably be all related to each
>> other, i.e., be very inbred?
> If they really ARE still out there, who CARES???
As long as they got all their teeth and know how to fetch me a beer, *I*
sure don't care!