The Ivory-billed Woodpecker

“Once found in virgin forests throughout much of the southeastern United States and up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers throughout its range the Ivory–billed woodpecker was associated with extensive old-growth forests the solitude of wilderness and the availability of immense beetle larvae that were its principal food. Hunting and destruction of its realm have led to its current status as one of the rarest birds in the world or extinct.“ In 2005, a possible sighting of the bird caused a global outpouring of hope and excitement that this magnificent bird was not yet extinct. Extensive searches have proved at this point inconclusive."