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People talk a lot about how politically polarized the country is these days… though perhaps it’s actually always been polarized and modern-day digital media have simply exacerbated and shone a bright light on the divisions. Anyway, the polarization is interestingly reflected in the Ivory-bill debate as well, as over time, both sides have dug in their heels perhaps even more so. In lieu of the recent USFWS pronouncement, long-time IBWO proponents, especially those who have some vested interest (because of their prior efforts, vocal arguments, reputation, etc.) in the debate, have possibly hardened their stands and are campaigning for a reversal of the USFWS recommendation, while scoffers may be losing all patience. With that said, there are some skeptics who admit they would love to be proved wrong, love to see the IBWO documented, but just find scant little solid evidence for any optimism. And vice-versa there are a few former believers, who by now have surrendered most hope, and must wonder if the species even actually ever made it through the 1940s bottleneck. There are also many, who like myself, still think a few remnants do exist, but wholly doubt the species can be saved even if found and protected. Maybe we’d have them around another 10 - 25 years, but short of some sort of massive and uncertain cloning project, then what?
Anyway, despite my gut instinct that a few stragglers still fly, there is one element that has always haunted me a bit in this saga. For those who have followed the story since the official Big Woods search went public, you may well recall the leucistic (largely white) Pileated that was spotted, and photographed, early on (you can google “Pileated Woodpecker +leucistic” if you need to see examples). The ghostly, heavily-white bird caught on film could hardly be mistaken for an IBWO, but it always made me nervous to wonder what the offspring and siblings of that bird might’ve looked like (and for that matter the offspring of its offspring, etc…) — leucism comes in a variety of degrees and forms; might not a more partially-leucistic Pileated (or even a crow), in a brief look (and almost all IBWO sightings are brief), lend the appearance of an Ivory-bill? (indeed, ornithologist Noel Snyder once reported just such a specimen in Florida). Several other varyingly leucistic PIWOs popped up on the Web, BTW, in the months after the Arkansas Big Woods encounter. Of course leucistic birds are relatively rare… but, of course IBWO sighting-claims are themselves very rare. What percentage of the best sightings are just leucistic birds of other species?
Again, what we need are prolonged, clear-cut sightings/video from credible, knowledgeable observers.
p.s.... Matt Courtman spoke with believer Geoff Hill for well over an hour on his IBWO podcast last Mon. night and will probably have a link to it at some point (...I'll post link here when I see it). And he'll likely have another guest next Monday.
(Hill) link here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KR4AiUij6g
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