Ivory-billed Woodpecker FAQ

Find answers to some of the commonly asked questions regarding possible recent sightings of the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Has the Ivory-billed Woodpecker been sighted in Florida?

Dr. Geoff Hill and his Auburn University team have provided evidence that suggests Ivory-billed Woodpeckers may be present in Northwest Florida.

Where and when was the Ivory-billed Woodpecker reported?

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was reported in Arkansas in April 2005.

Where are people looking for Ivory-billed Woodpeckers now?

Searches are on-going in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas.

What will it take to confirm this new evidence?

For confirmation of the bird's presence, the team must present hard evidence. To date, Dr. Hill and Dr. Daniel Mennill, a sound analysis expert at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, have provided recordings of sounds that resemble the unique sounds of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker. However, photographs or video recordings are necessary before the birds' presence is confirmed.

Who is involved in the search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker?

Financial and logistical support for the continued search for the birds' presence is being provided by three agencies: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Northwest Florida Water Management District, as well as partners in the private sector.