Are Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers Extinct?

Ivory-billed Woodpecker (mulberry) – the largest woodpecker species, often called the king of the forest – is considered one of the rarest birds in the world. It was thought to be extinct for 60 years until a sighting was reported in Arkansas in 2004.

Although the ivory-billed woodpecker has not migrated since observations were made in 2004, it is not considered extinct. By all standards, the bird’s official conservation status is critically endangered. That means there is little hope that the Ivory Bills will still exist.

As of 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to officially remove the woodpecker from the endangered species list, officially declaring the king of the forest extinct.

However, this proposal was not adopted. Advocates of the iconic woodpecker still hold out hope. We’ll discuss the controversial case of the ivory-billed woodpecker in more detail throughout this article. Read on to discover more!

(Main image credit: Original photograph by Arthur A. Allen, 1935 [1]by Jerry A. Payne, USDA-ARS, CC BY 3.0 US)

Ivory-billed woodpecker specimen, Naturalis Center for Biodiversity, CC BY-SA 3.0

Does the ivory-billed woodpecker still exist?

The answer to whether the ivory-billed woodpecker still exists is not as simple as yes or no. The bird is currently listed as critically endangered, which leaves room for the possibility that a few populations still exist.

However, there have been no conclusive sightings (conclusive evidence such as clear photographs and call recordings) for many years.

The ivory-billed woodpecker was officially declared extinct between 1944 and 2004. A 2004 sighting in the forests of eastern Arkansas reignited belief that the species still exists somewhere.

There have been reports of observations of Ivory Mouth since then, but none credible enough to be declared official. Therefore, the species is recorded as having not migrated since 2004.

Where was the last time you saw a fang-billed woodpecker?

The last widely accepted sighting of the ivory-billed woodpecker in the United States occurred in northeast Louisiana in 1938. Unlike the 2004 observation in Arkansas, this sighting was supported by photographic evidence.

Populations of ivory-billed woodpeckers also exist in Cuba—or once did. In April 1948, the last photograph confirmed the sighting. However, there was an unofficial (no photograph or call recording) sighting reported in 1992.

Why are birds like the tooth-billed woodpecker endangered?

The ivory-billed woodpecker is critically endangered due to habitat destruction, which began with European settlement in the southeast. Woodpeckers borne the brunt of habitat loss between 1880 and 1910.

The outbreak of World War I led to high demand for forest products, which meant massive logging and felling of pine forests in key ivory habitat.

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is also known to be an extremely shy species, susceptible to any human disturbance. This means that the king of the forest has been hit with a double-edged sword.

Even though the bird could have adapted to mass logging, its need for solitude was not met due to the heavy human-related traffic throughout its habitat.

A pair of ivory-billed woodpeckers at the Natural History Museum in London, image credit: Lusanaherandraton, CC BY-SA 4.0

Are all fang-billed woodpeckers endangered?

All fang-billed woodpeckers are considered critically endangered. Known populations in southeastern North America and Cuba have been affected by logging and other human disturbance—so much so that the species may now be extinct.

When did the ivory-billed woodpecker become endangered?

The ivory-billed woodpecker was endangered in the 1800s.

The continued destruction of mature and primary forest habitats to fuel human expansion has resulted in severe population declines. Ivory banknotes were rare in the 1880s, and only a small number are thought to have survived into the 20th century.

What are the threats to ivory-billed woodpeckers?

The main threat to the ivory-billed woodpecker has been habitat loss from human disturbance. Early ornithologists thought the bird was shy and vulnerable to human encroachment on its habitat. Encroachment includes not only logging, but also home building and other outdoor activities.

If the bird is still around today, it probably still suffers from human disturbance.

How are humans affecting ivory-billed woodpeckers?

Humans have affected the ivory-billed woodpecker primarily through logging that destroys the bird’s forest and cypress swamp habitat.

Years of over-logging have all but destroyed the old-growth forest this bird calls home. Settlements and towns, as well as hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, have also had a negative impact on ivory-billed woodpecker populations, driving them out of the few remaining habitats.

What is the biggest threat to the ivory-billed woodpecker?

The biggest threat to the ivory-billed woodpecker is, of course, habitat loss. The species relies on mature cypress and dead pine for nesting, but the Southeast still has little mature or old-growth forest habitat.

Close-up of a male ivory-billed woodpecker, image credit: James St. John, CC BY 2.0

How can we help the ivory-billed woodpecker?

If the ivory-billed woodpecker is still around, the best way to help it is to protect its habitat. Large swamps of cypress and pine forests in the Southeast may need protection from logging and other extraction.

Human activities such as hunting, fishing and hiking also need to be limited to encourage species to nest.

How many ivory-billed woodpeckers are left in the wild?

No known extant populations of ivory-billed woodpeckers remain in the wild. If the species still exists, there may be no more than 50 living individuals.

How rare is it to see something like a tooth-billed woodpecker?

To say that fang-billed woodpeckers are rarely seen is an understatement. The king of the forest has long been one of the rarest birds in the world, and it was widely believed to be extinct.

Which state has the most ivory-billed woodpeckers?

It’s hard to say which state has the most ivory-billed woodpeckers. Since 1938, there have been no official records of dental bills in the United States. This occurs in the lowland hardwood forests of northeastern Louisiana, where the most recent populations are known and extensively studied.

Is it illegal to kill an ivory-billed woodpecker?

It is illegal to kill an ivory-billed woodpecker. They are critically endangered birds protected by the Endangered Species Act.

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Is the ivory-billed woodpecker extinct?

The ivory-billed woodpecker is widely considered extinct, but has not yet been officially listed as an extinct species. They are currently considered critically endangered by all criteria.