This woodpecker, the largest in North America, was believed to be extinct for nearly a half century. However, recent sight records in Arkansas and Florida are intriguing and have raised hopes that it persists, though convincing physical evidence of this species' existence is still lacking. Black overall with a large whitish bill. A white line runs from below each eye down the sides of the neck and along the sides of the back. The secondaries form a large white patch on the folded wing. Males have a large red crest. The female’s crest is black and may curl forward. In flight: From above, the wings are black with white secondaries and inner primaries forming a broad white trailing half of the wings. From below, the leading edges of the wings are white, followed by a band of black and a broad white trailing edge.

Length: 48 (cm) Wingspan: 76 (cm)

Habitat:

Old growth bottomland forest, cypress swamp.

Behavior:

The Ivory-billed's double knock is unlike the loud extended territorial drumming of a Pileated Woodpecker.

Feeding:

Forages for beetle larva by stripping bark from recently killed trees.