Comment on "Ivory-billed Woodpecker ( <i>Campephilus principalis</i> ) Persists in Continental North America"

Abstract

We reanalyzed video presented as confirmation that an ivory-billed woodpecker ( Campephilus principalis ) persists in Arkansas (Fitzpatrick et al ., Reports, 3 June 2005, p. 1460). None of the features described as diagnostic of the ivory-billed woodpecker eliminate a normal pileated woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus ). Although we support efforts to find and protect ivory-billed woodpeckers, the video evidence does not demonstrate that the species persists in the United States.