Researchers from Pennsylvania have presented compelling evidence that a bird once thought to be extinct is still alive and kicking.
The ivory-billed woodpecker, which once thrived in the southeastern region of the U.S, hasn’t been spotted since 1944.
Federal wildlife officials want to declare this species extinct, which would end legal protection. Last year, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service extended its deadline to make a final ruling, citing “disagreement among experts regarding the status of the species.”
That’s because researchers at the National Aviary, a zoo in Pittsburgh, say they have spotted the woodpecker in Louisiana, according to a peer-reviewed study published earlier this month.
The group presented a decades’ worth of research, including images of the bird captured on motion-activated trail cameras, audio recordings, and drone videos.
Despite the promising evidence, scientists haven’t found any dead specimens to examine, so they can’t say for sure that this species is still around. Will the ivory-billed woodpecker make a comeback? Stay tuned to find out!
In the meantime, here’s all the best spots to go bird-watching in Philly 🎧
