This whole discussion concerning the validity of the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker sightings has intrigued me. First of all, it should be
noted that this "debate" is really more of a scientific discussion and
is the way science should be done -- through observations,
questioning, critical thinking, discussing, and eventually coming to
conclusions based upon repeated
evidence. Unfortunately, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker situation
presents a great deal of subjectivity to what is meant to be an
objective scientific endeavor. Nevertheless, this same subjectivity is
present in countless areas of research in which observations are the
primary source of data collection.

Realizing this, two factors concerning the evidence for the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker's existence must be considered. First, the
only "hard" data is that which is possessed in sound recordings and
the Luneau video. Obviously these have been analyzed by people who
understand the principles involved and have experience. The problem
lies in the quality of this evidence. That being said we must turn to
the second factor, and the second source of evidence -- first hand
observations. Observations are used as a form of data collection in
various forms of avian research -- point counts, nest searching,
migration counts, etc. Photo/video/audio documentation is not required
for each observation in these studies which assess populations of
species and species assemblages. Just as one's credibility is at stake
when recording point count observations, a certain degree of
credibility is at risk when one claims to see a species which has been
thought to be extinct for possibly more than half a century.
Nonetheless, both must be taken objectively and one must be considered
as valid as the other, given sound science is employed.

At any rate, the ornithologists working on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
research obviously have put much at stake with their claims, including
the reputation of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. With as much time,
money, and human effort that has been put into this endeavor, one can
not help but consider that there is truly more to it than a
questionable video tape. As many birders know, getting a visual
documentation of an uncommon bird which exhibits secretive behavior in
a difficult to search habitat, such as that of say a Yellow or Black
Rail, is not exactly an easy task. Now, consider a species whose
numbers may be only a handful of individuals, whose habitat is not
easily accessed (and dwindling), and whose behaviors are not exactly
flamboyant and may have even adapted over the years to allow its
survival into the 21st century. "Snapping a photograph" of such a
species is not as easy as one may think. To make similar, sweeping
comments, as if it were easy, perhaps does not show a full
consideration of the factors which come into play. Likewise, the
observations of ornithologists and trained volunteers should not be
discounted based upon debatable video analysis.

Just in case you wondered, YES I feel the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
persists today; however,  the real question is for how much longer,
and what can we really do for its conservation or other such species
on the brink of extinction or regional extirpation.

David Yeany II
Graduate Assistant
Frostburg State University