Campephilus principalis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PICIFORMES	PICIDAE

Scientific Name:

Campephilus principalis

Species Authority:

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Kirwan, G., Lee, D., Butcher, G., Lammertink, J., Kirkconnell, A.

Justification:
Strong claims for this species's persistence in Arkansas and Florida have emerged since 2004 although the evidence remains highly controversial. It may also survive in south-eastern Cuba, but there have been no confirmed records since 1987 despite many searches. If extant, the global population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2005	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Extinct
1994	–	Extinct

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Campephilus principalis formerly occurred at low densities throughout the south-east USA (nominate principalis) and Cuba (race bairdii). Sixty years after the last confirmed North American record in north-eastern Louisiana in 1944, the species was reported to have been rediscovered in 2004 in the Big Woods region of eastern Arkansas³. Evidence for the rediscovery comes in the form of seven sightings, a short poor-quality video, over 100 sound recordings indicative of this species from automatic recording stations, and a number of additional 'possible encounters'^3,6,7,8,11. The sound and video recordings have been analysed in detail. However, some consider that this evidence is not yet conclusive^8,9,10,12, and intensive searches are currently underway that hope to provide unequivocal documentation of the species's continued existence. There were also unconfirmed reports by researchers working in forests along the Choctawhatchee river in Florida reporting 14 sightings and 41 acoustic encounters heard during 2005-2006 and further sightings and calls in the 2006-2007 field season, but again incontrovertible evidence is still required¹⁴. However a search in the coastal mangrove forests and inland hammock forests of south Florida in 2009 failed to find any sign of the species¹⁷. Between the last confirmed sightings in 1944 and the 2004 records discussed above there were a further 20 credible unconfirmed reports from within its historic range¹⁵. The species may well survive in Cuba, although searches have not found any new records subsequent to those of the late 1980s⁴. The best hope lies in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, in which only a small proportion of the potential habitat has been searched. Calls potentially of this species were heard in 1998 in the Sierra Maestra in south-east Cuba^1,2, an area from which there had been no historical records and at an elevation higher than the known altitudinal range of the species⁴. Follow-up searches in the area found poor habitat and no indications of presence of the species⁵. A recent statistical analysis of physical evidence and independent expert opinion, as part of a study into the burden of proof required for controversial sightings of possibly extinct species, supported the view that this species is very likely extinct²¹. Any remnant population in either the USA or Cuba is likely to be tiny.
Countries:	Native: United States Possibly extinct: Cuba
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Given the lack of confirmed sightings since 1944 any remaining population within the USA is likely to be tiny. A tiny population may also remain in Cuba, despite lack of recent sightings.

Population:

Given the lack of confirmed sightings since 1944 any remaining population within the USA is likely to be tiny. A tiny population may also remain in Cuba, despite lack of recent sightings.

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It was originally found in both bottomland hardwood and montane (pine, mixed and broadleaf) forests in the USA and Cuba. Historic accounts indicate that it has a very large home range and occurs naturally at low densities, suggesting that large contiguous tracts of mature woodland would be required to support a viable population¹³. The Big Woods area comprises several distinct types of swamp and bottomland hardwood forests³, covering a total area of c.220,000 ha. In Cuba, extensive habitat loss and degradation in the lowlands mean that any remaining population may be restricted to intact montane Pinus cubensis forests. The primary requirement is for dead trees, which harbour wood-boring beetle larvae, its preferred food source. It forages by stripping bark from dead trees, using its bill like a carpenter's chisel, and also takes fruit, nuts and seeds¹³. The breeding season is March-June in Cuba and February-May in the USA.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It was originally found in both bottomland hardwood and montane (pine, mixed and broadleaf) forests in the USA and Cuba. Historic accounts indicate that it has a very large home range and occurs naturally at low densities, suggesting that large contiguous tracts of mature woodland would be required to support a viable population¹³. The Big Woods area comprises several distinct types of swamp and bottomland hardwood forests³, covering a total area of c.220,000 ha. In Cuba, extensive habitat loss and degradation in the lowlands mean that any remaining population may be restricted to intact montane Pinus cubensis forests. The primary requirement is for dead trees, which harbour wood-boring beetle larvae, its preferred food source. It forages by stripping bark from dead trees, using its bill like a carpenter's chisel, and also takes fruit, nuts and seeds¹³. The breeding season is March-June in Cuba and February-May in the USA.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Logging and clearance for agriculture are responsible for the dramatic decline in numbers and range. These factors are likely to threaten any remaining population. Hunting has also been implicated in the rapid population decline, and it has been proposed that this was the primary cause of its decline, with habitat destruction playing a secondary role; though this theory is contentious^18,19.

Major Threat(s):

Logging and clearance for agriculture are responsible for the dramatic decline in numbers and range. These factors are likely to threaten any remaining population. Hunting has also been implicated in the rapid population decline, and it has been proposed that this was the primary cause of its decline, with habitat destruction playing a secondary role; though this theory is contentious^18,19.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway After the reported rediscovery in February 2004, intensive surveys involving dozens of observers, automatic cameras and recording equipment have been carried out in the Big Woods area³. Searches have also continued in other parts of the south-east USA that have historic records of the species, with specific searches taking place in 21 locations across that area in 2006-2007¹⁴. An endangered species recovery team of c.50 members has been appointed¹², and a recovery plan has been drawn up. By early 2010, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had spent $14 million on efforts to document and protect the species, which have been burdened by the investigation of dubious records and hoaxes²². In October 2009, the search for the species in the USA was suspended owing to funding constraints²². Early in 2010, the USFWS was on the verge of approving a final recovery plan²². Part of the Big Woods area falls within the Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges. In Cuba there have been a number of searches for the species, and further searches were planned for 2010 and 2011²⁰. Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out further surveys in the south-east USA (particularly near recent reported sightings) to try to locate further individuals, document their continued existence and determine the population size and distribution. Ensure strict protection of any nests and nesting trees, if found. Continue to carry out searches for the species in Cuba, where c. 80% of suitable habitat has not been explored. Ensure the implementation of appropriate protective measures if a population is found in Cuba. Engage birdwatchers in the search for the woodpecker and raise awareness about the importance of reporting and documenting any sightings¹⁶. Use GIS to remotely identify suitable search sites where the species may occur¹⁶.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
After the reported rediscovery in February 2004, intensive surveys involving dozens of observers, automatic cameras and recording equipment have been carried out in the Big Woods area³. Searches have also continued in other parts of the south-east USA that have historic records of the species, with specific searches taking place in 21 locations across that area in 2006-2007¹⁴. An endangered species recovery team of c.50 members has been appointed¹², and a recovery plan has been drawn up. By early 2010, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had spent $14 million on efforts to document and protect the species, which have been burdened by the investigation of dubious records and hoaxes²². In October 2009, the search for the species in the USA was suspended owing to funding constraints²². Early in 2010, the USFWS was on the verge of approving a final recovery plan²². Part of the Big Woods area falls within the Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges. In Cuba there have been a number of searches for the species, and further searches were planned for 2010 and 2011²⁰.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out further surveys in the south-east USA (particularly near recent reported sightings) to try to locate further individuals, document their continued existence and determine the population size and distribution. Ensure strict protection of any nests and nesting trees, if found. Continue to carry out searches for the species in Cuba, where c. 80% of suitable habitat has not been explored. Ensure the implementation of appropriate protective measures if a population is found in Cuba. Engage birdwatchers in the search for the woodpecker and raise awareness about the importance of reporting and documenting any sightings¹⁶. Use GIS to remotely identify suitable search sites where the species may occur¹⁶.

Bibliography [top]

	Charif, R. A.; Cortopassi, K. A.; Fristrup, K.M.; Figueroa, H. K.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Fitzpatrick, J.W. 2005. Status of recent acoustic research for Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Charif, R. A.; Cortopassi, K. A.; Fristrup, K.M.; Figueroa, H. K.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Fitzpatrick, J.W. 2005. Status of recent acoustic research for Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Charif, R. A.; Cortopassi, K. A.; Fristrup, K.M.; Figueroa, H. K.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Fitzpatrick, J.W. 2005. Status of recent acoustic research for Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Charif, R. A.; Cortopassi, K. A.; Fristrup, K.M.; Figueroa, H. K.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Fitzpatrick, J.W. 2005. Status of recent acoustic research for Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Dalton, R. 2010. Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature 463(7282): 718-719. Dalton, R. 2010. Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature 463(7282): 718-719. Dalton, R. 2010. Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature 463(7282): 718-719. Dalton, R. 2010. Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature 463(7282): 718-719. Fitzpatrick, J.W.; Lammertink, M.; Luneau, M.D.; Gallagher, T.W.; Harrison, B. R.; Sparling, G.M.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Rohrbaugh, R.W.; Swarthout, E.C.H.; Wrege, P.H.; Swarthout, S. B.; Dantzker, M.S.;…authors continued in notes. 2005. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America. Science 308: 1460-1462. Fitzpatrick, J.W.; Lammertink, M.; Luneau, M.D.; Gallagher, T.W.; Harrison, B. R.; Sparling, G.M.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Rohrbaugh, R.W.; Swarthout, E.C.H.; Wrege, P.H.; Swarthout, S. B.; Dantzker, M.S.;…authors continued in notes. 2005. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America. Science 308: 1460-1462. Fitzpatrick, J.W.; Lammertink, M.; Luneau, M.D.; Gallagher, T.W.; Harrison, B. R.; Sparling, G.M.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Rohrbaugh, R.W.; Swarthout, E.C.H.; Wrege, P.H.; Swarthout, S. B.; Dantzker, M.S.;…authors continued in notes. 2005. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America. Science 308: 1460-1462. Fitzpatrick, J.W.; Lammertink, M.; Luneau, M.D.; Gallagher, T.W.; Harrison, B. R.; Sparling, G.M.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Rohrbaugh, R.W.; Swarthout, E.C.H.; Wrege, P.H.; Swarthout, S. B.; Dantzker, M.S.;…authors continued in notes. 2005. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America. Science 308: 1460-1462. Gold, L. 2009. No Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but plenty of data. Available at: #http://www.physorg.com/news166894194.html#. Gold, L. 2009. No Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but plenty of data. Available at: #http://www.physorg.com/news166894194.html#. Gold, L. 2009. No Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but plenty of data. Available at: #http://www.physorg.com/news166894194.html#. Gold, L. 2009. No Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but plenty of data. Available at: #http://www.physorg.com/news166894194.html#. Hill, G. E. 2008. Book review: An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline, by Noel F. Snyder. Condor 110(4): 808-810. Hill, G. E. 2008. Book review: An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline, by Noel F. Snyder. Condor 110(4): 808-810. Hill, G. E. 2008. Book review: An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline, by Noel F. Snyder. Condor 110(4): 808-810. Hill, G. E. 2008. Book review: An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline, by Noel F. Snyder. Condor 110(4): 808-810. Hill, G. E.; Mennill, D. J.; Rolek, B. W.; Hicks, T. L.; Swiston, K. A. 2006. Evidence suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) exist in Florida. Avian Conservation and Ecology 1(3): art 2. Hill, G. E.; Mennill, D. J.; Rolek, B. W.; Hicks, T. L.; Swiston, K. A. 2006. Evidence suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) exist in Florida. Avian Conservation and Ecology 1(3): art 2. Hill, G. E.; Mennill, D. J.; Rolek, B. W.; Hicks, T. L.; Swiston, K. A. 2006. Evidence suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) exist in Florida. Avian Conservation and Ecology 1(3): art 2. Hill, G. E.; Mennill, D. J.; Rolek, B. W.; Hicks, T. L.; Swiston, K. A. 2006. Evidence suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) exist in Florida. Avian Conservation and Ecology 1(3): art 2. Jackson, J. A. 2002. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F. (ed.), The birds of North America no. 711, Birds of North America, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Jackson, J. A. 2002. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F. (ed.), The birds of North America no. 711, Birds of North America, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Jackson, J. A. 2002. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F. (ed.), The birds of North America no. 711, Birds of North America, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Jackson, J. A. 2002. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F. (ed.), The birds of North America no. 711, Birds of North America, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Jackson, J. A. 2006. Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis: hope and the interfaces of science, conservation and politics. The Auk 123: 1-15. Jackson, J. A. 2006. Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis: hope and the interfaces of science, conservation and politics. The Auk 123: 1-15. Jackson, J. A. 2006. Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis: hope and the interfaces of science, conservation and politics. The Auk 123: 1-15. Jackson, J. A. 2006. Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis: hope and the interfaces of science, conservation and politics. The Auk 123: 1-15. Nemesio, A.; Jackson, J. A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. Ivory-billed Woodpecker supposed rediscovery: science or politics? Atualidades Ornitológicas 128: 26. Nemesio, A.; Jackson, J. A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. Ivory-billed Woodpecker supposed rediscovery: science or politics? Atualidades Ornitológicas 128: 26. Nemesio, A.; Jackson, J. A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. Ivory-billed Woodpecker supposed rediscovery: science or politics? Atualidades Ornitológicas 128: 26. Nemesio, A.; Jackson, J. A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. Ivory-billed Woodpecker supposed rediscovery: science or politics? Atualidades Ornitológicas 128: 26. Nemesio, A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis): where is the scientific method? Atualidades Ornitológicas 125: 14. Nemesio, A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis): where is the scientific method? Atualidades Ornitológicas 125: 14. Nemesio, A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis): where is the scientific method? Atualidades Ornitológicas 125: 14. Nemesio, A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis): where is the scientific method? Atualidades Ornitológicas 125: 14. Snyder, N. F. R. 2007. An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 2: 1-58. Snyder, N. F. R. 2007. An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 2: 1-58. Snyder, N. F. R. 2007. An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 2: 1-58. Snyder, N. F. R. 2007. An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 2: 1-58.

Charif, R. A.; Cortopassi, K. A.; Fristrup, K.M.; Figueroa, H. K.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Fitzpatrick, J.W. 2005. Status of recent acoustic research for Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.

Dalton, R. 2010. Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature 463(7282): 718-719.

Fitzpatrick, J.W.; Lammertink, M.; Luneau, M.D.; Gallagher, T.W.; Harrison, B. R.; Sparling, G.M.; Rosenberg, K.V.; Rohrbaugh, R.W.; Swarthout, E.C.H.; Wrege, P.H.; Swarthout, S. B.; Dantzker, M.S.;…authors continued in notes. 2005. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) persists in continental North America. Science 308: 1460-1462.

Gold, L. 2009. No Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but plenty of data. Available at: #http://www.physorg.com/news166894194.html#.

Hill, G. E. 2008. Book review: An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline, by Noel F. Snyder. Condor 110(4): 808-810.

Hill, G. E.; Mennill, D. J.; Rolek, B. W.; Hicks, T. L.; Swiston, K. A. 2006. Evidence suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) exist in Florida. Avian Conservation and Ecology 1(3): art 2.

Jackson, J. A. 2002. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F. (ed.), The birds of North America no. 711, Birds of North America, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Jackson, J. A. 2006. Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis: hope and the interfaces of science, conservation and politics. The Auk 123: 1-15.

Nemesio, A.; Jackson, J. A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. Ivory-billed Woodpecker supposed rediscovery: science or politics? Atualidades Ornitológicas 128: 26.

Nemesio, A.; Rodrigues, M. 2005. The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis): where is the scientific method? Atualidades Ornitológicas 125: 14.

Snyder, N. F. R. 2007. An alternative hypothesis for the cause of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker's decline. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 2: 1-58.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Campephilus principalis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 17 May 2012.
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