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John W. presents an updated recommendation for a head-cam (Akaso Brave 4) for IBWO searchers here (mentioning several others as well):
By now, I’m not very optimistic about the probability of ANY ground-based, (shaky) human-operated camera capturing an adequate photo of a flying IBWO… for trying to persuade skeptics or serious birders, the results of the last 20+ years have been mostly abysmal, and I suspect only a skillfully-operated drone or an automatic remote cam focused on a cavity or foraging site may ever likely suffice (also despite 20 years of failure)... though IF an active cavity or foraging site is ever identified, well, then a 1950’s Brownie camera will be quite sufficient ;)
If one does have the desire/dollars to invest in a headcam be sure to factor in all the pertinent variables, besides quality, that may affect your choice (price, weight, ease-of-use, battery-duration, sturdiness, waterproofness, warranty), and there are plenty of other reviews of headcams online (look for truly independent reviews, not just manufacturer-promoted sites), and John suggests several features or specifications to keep in mind.
Meanwhile, the sighting claims for Ivorybills keep popping up across the internet, over and over and over again, and even those from folks who claim adamantly that they KNOW the difference between IBWOs and PIWOs (because of course they’ve seen dozens of PIWOs before), invariably, if they provide a clear enough photo, turn out to be easily ID’d as Pileated. :( Go figure… (on a sidenote, I keep seeing the speculation made, and believed, that perhaps some IBWOs and PIWOs have cross-bred... NOOOO, these two separate species/genuses do not hybridize).
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Here is the intro and rationale for the work-- Since 2000, some of the best proof for the continued existence of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (IBWO) has been from video, and from cameras that were already on. This includes videos by David Luneau, Michael Collins, Bobby Harrison, and drone videos from Project Principalis. All these are available online. During this same time period, there are no still photographs from professional birding photographers, either wide-angle or telephoto, offered as identification for this species. Trail-cam images have obtained some data as have some smartphone images.
During this same time, expeditions dedicated to IBWO searches have reported numerous sightings by competent field biologists and ornithologists, and in addition laypersons who accurately describe the species. This list includes but is not limited to Michael Collins, Geoff Hill and members of his team, Frank Wiley, Mark Michaels, Steve Latta, other members of Project Coyote-Principalis, Matt Courtman and members of Mission Ivorybill, Rachel Adele Webster. The encounters happened unexpectedly and were over quickly– none of these observers had a chance to turn on a camera of any kind in most cases.
Supported by over a century of field observation is that the IBWO is a combination of wary, rare, found in woods and forests, encountered suddenly and for a brief number of seconds, and has a flight initiation (flee) distance of approximately 100 meters, evolved in a short time by hunting pressures. What this necessitates is a video camera system, always on, that can run and store data all day, and can be quickly and naturally aimed during an encounter. It also must have a long enough lens to capture a bird that will be somewhat distant.
Previous work with video cameras have used hand-held, canoe, kayak, and paddle mounts. Following these efforts and results obtained, and with advances in technology, a head-mounted system is suggested because of the fleeting nature of IB encounters, and the ability of a human head to turn quickly, following the eyes reacting to a sighting or visual stimulus. This eliminates the time needed to pick up a camera, aim it by hand,and- or turn the watercraft.
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