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Ivory Billed Woodpecker Sighted!

L

LolaGal

This supposedly extinct bird is hanging out on the property for years!

Yesterday, I got to see one fly over, calling to it's mate! (who answered)

I emailed Cornell University again today. For people supposedly hunting this bird across the swamps of the South, they really don't seem too interested.

I only get to see them about once a year. They are pretty rare birds around here.

Anyways, I think I have got their breeding tree located!!!!! Now to get a picture and collect the big reward from Cornell U.

Why is it you never have your camera when you need it? :biglaugh:

It's only taken me 3 years to find the right tree, and I ain't sure I have yet!

Wish me luck!
 
Pinball Wizard

Pinball Wizard

The wand chooses the wizard
Veteran
I saw a redheaded, doublebreasted, bedthrasher...ten years ago...haven't seen once since...:1help:
 

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KaliRush

Member
I thought I had found some also last year but upon closer inspection, they were just pileated woodpeckers. They look almost identical except for they have a black bill instead of ivory color
 
Pinball Wizard

Pinball Wizard

The wand chooses the wizard
Veteran
KaliRush said:
I thought I had found some also last year but upon closer inspection, they were just pileated woodpeckers. They look almost identical except for they have a black bill instead of ivory color
Click to expand...
True....the locals call them wood hens around here.

Ivory (Campephilus).....Pileated (Dryocopus)
 

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L

LolaGal

You can't mistake the white stripe across the bottom of their wings while in flight! They look pretty prehistoric.

Doobie, you are the man for the job. I would love to have you on this case. We can split the big reward money. PM me if you are serious and come on! What fun!
 
Big Beans

Big Beans

Beans Means Highns
ICMag Donor
Good luck mate - I saw a badger in England in day time, which is pretty rare. Wasn't fast enough with my camera though. Its amazing the wildlife we get to see whilst outdoor growing. :)
 
L

LolaGal

Thanks all! Have Nikon, will stalk! I'm not a paparazzi, I'm a birdarazzi :biglaugh:

It's nice to get to see an extinct :)biglaugh) bird!

This is only my 3rd sighting in 3 years! They are not too thick!

Also, last winter I sat peanut butter cornmeal lures all winter long and even fed black oil sunflower seeds, still no Ivory bills, all winter.

I have seen 2 down by the river, and some near the house, so I think there are quite a few pairs breeding around here.

When I was a kid and DDT was affecting all these bird species around here, some birds were rarely seen. Now these species have made a dramatic comeback.

I am hoping the Ivory billed woodpecker population is increasing rapidly too!

All these years, I thought they pileated, but after seeing them a few years ago in National Geographic Magazine, I realized they were Ivory bills. Now it's just a matter of getting a picture.

I think a nest tree would be the best shot a picture.

The quest continues! :)
 
Owl Mirror

Owl Mirror

Active member
Veteran
This is awesome! Good Luck !
I hope you are lucky enough to get a shot of them, especially in flight so you can make a positive ID
 
L

LolaGal

heehee, I'll worry about that if I get a picture.

It would be nice to have the Audobon Society start buying up all the land for bird sanctuaries though!

I'd love to be surrounded by a bird sanctuary, wouldn't that be a nice place to live?

No planes overhead, to scare the birds! Heaven. Me and the birds. :)
 
shack

shack

Active member
Thats really cool, Lola.
I'd make my mission to get that picture.
Its hard to believe that the people at CU. aren't interested.They probably
think your mistaken.(prove them wrong)
Do you think they are still nesting at this time of year?
Maybe if you put some bait out where you think they are,you can lure them in.
Good luck getting that picture,I'm gonna send ya some positive K+.
 
L

LolaGal

I doubt they are still nesting and raising, but I know they gotta have a tree somewhere.

It's too hard stalking them on foot, gotta find the nest tree to get a shot I think.

They are big birds! Bigger than the pileated.

The one I saw flying toward the creek yesterday looked prehistoric! It was really cool.

I was in a rental car and had no camera with me.

But they are here, and there is a bounty on their picture.

I lured in all kinds of woodpeckers last winter, red breasted, red headed, pileated (rare), downy and a few other species too. But no Ivory bills.

Lola's Bird Lure Recipe:
melt lard
Mix in a wad of peanut butter while hot. stir.
Add yellow cornmeal, stir.
Add Quaker Instant Oats. stir.
Add Instant grits if you have some.
Add raisins.
Add expired nuts from grocery sale if possible.
Sometimes I add some crushed dry cat food or crushed dog biscuits if I have some.

Mix until thick, but not stiff to stir.

I put this mix into some plastic containers for suet feeders that I save from commercial purchase. They ususally have them at Wally World type place, little squares of suet ready to go. Buy those and save the plastic to reuse now!

Fill containers with suet, place in freezer until needed.

Take out, place in wire suet cage and watch the woodpeckers come to your yard!

WARNING: Once starting this, be prepared to continue all winter, as they tend to rely on this food source and could starve once they get on your gravy train! :)

Black oil sunflower seeds attract nice birds too. Town birds don't really like black oil sunflower seeds!





I HEAR SOME WOODPECKING GOING ON IN THE WOODS! I CAN'T RESIST! :)
 
CANNACO-OP

CANNACO-OP

Farmassist
Veteran
All that hard work will pay off, I have been more deligent about takin the camera with me, you will never know.

I see many pileated's around us, well maybe just one, but he is everywhere, the sound gives him away.

I saved one once from my cats also. Heard a horrible screeching sound and came out and a cat had one pinned down and teeth in it. Tried to scare cat away, but no go, then she let go a little, bird tried to take off, little blood, not bad, but cat jumped on it again, then I yelled and cat let go and woody went up in the tree, sat for 10-15 minutes then I lost track and when I went back to check, he was gone. I still see "one" around, but dnk if the same.
 
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