The last confirmed sighting of an ivory-billed woodpecker was documented in 1944 in northeastern Louisiana. Is it extinct or is it hiding out right here in Georgia?
According to adventure and wildlife photographer Marsh Deane, “This bird could certainly be hidden in Georgia swamps along any of the coastal plains rivers.” He says finding it is not easy.
“We can’t get into these alligator laden, mosquito filled swamps to look for this bird, at least most people can’t... but that’s what I do,” he said.
There are people who claim to have recently captured an ivory-billed woodpecker on video, though the videos are very grainy and the bird looks a lot like the pileated woodpecker. Pileated woodpeckers have a smaller dark or silvery bill than ivory-billed woodpeckers. They also have a white throat, and a perched pileated lacks the large white back of ivory-billed woodpeckers.
So could the ivory-billed woodpecker be hiding out in Georgia? “I think chances are pretty slim... but as long as there are chances... if I happen to find it, then that’s a much bigger deal,” said Deane.
Presently, habitat destruction would be the main continued threat to the species, as it depends on cypress and dead pine for nesting cavities.
For now, Deane continues his search.