Ivory-bill Skeptics Converted

Back in April, ornithologists from Cornell and Interior Department officials announced the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, after several visual and audio sightings of the bird believed to have been extinct for more than six decades. I wrote about the findings then in "An Amazing Discovery," and followed up recently in "WaPo on 'Elvis'."

Last week, the New York Times reported that three ornithologists were planning to challenge the evidence presented in claiming the rediscovery in an upcoming scientific journal article, but I am more than a little delighted to be able to report today that the doubters have been convinced. The New York Times (which seems to be way out in front on this story) reported Monday night that new recordings of Ivory-bill calls provided by Cornell scientists have persuaded the skeptical ornithologists.

Yale's Richard Prum said he is "now strongly convinced that there is at least a pair of ivory bills out there," while Mark Robbins at the University of Kansas said "We were absolutely stunned." Robbins said of the paper he, Prum and zoologist Jerome Jackson were planning to submit for publication "It's all moot at this point; the bird's here."

The whole article is a really good overview of the scientific debate as well as the state of conservation efforts in the region where the bird(s!) are living. Speaking of which, Arkansas television reports tonight that a meeting will be held Tuesday evening at the Brinkley Convention Center for area farmers to "find out more about receiving financial incentives to help restore the habitat for the endangered ivory-billed woodpecker. Up to 6,200 acres of private land is wanted to establish a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program near where the rare woodpecker was spotted. Conservationists say having the farmer's cooperation would preserve the bird's habitat in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge." More on that here, from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

The bird's there, there's more than one of them, and conservation efforts are progressing. Everybody needs a little good news now and then.