In Search of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

by Jerome A. Jackson

In Search of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is a complete natural history of one of the most exciting and rare birds in the world. Noted ornithologist Jerome A. Jackson takes the reader on his fantastic and personal quest, providing detailed insights into the bird's lifestyle, habitat, and cultural significance, examining its iconic status from the late 1800s to the present in advertising, conservation, and lore. As he relates searches for the bird by John James Audubon, Alexander Wilson, and others, Jackson offers anecdotal tales illuminating the methods of early naturalists, including how one captive ivory-bill destroyed a naturalist's hotel room in a desperate attempt to escape. Jackson's search for one of the few remaining ivory-bills takes him across the United States and into Cuba. A new epilogue disputes the putative rediscovery of the bird in April 2005.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Natural History, Science Nature, Ornithology

322 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Al Rudolph has been a member of Toastmasters International for over two decades. During that time, he has entered, and won, numerous speech and evaluation contests. His skill as both an author and orator have allowed him the opportunity to inspire and motivate numerous people with diverse backgrounds from virtually every walk of life. He has an uncanny ability to capture the attention of readers and listeners alike. Al is a shepherd of First Capital Christian Church where he leads and teaches classes pertaining to Christian living. He resides in Southern Indiana with his beautiful wife of 40 years, Linda. They have one daughter, Stephanie, who lives in New York City.

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Reviews

[Kara Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Thought it was a great mix of storytelling and science. It really lacked indigenous perspectives and I noticed that almost all accounts of indigenous cultural stories were told by white people.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars for the parts that I read, as there was much that I skimmed, it being of little interest to me. The author went into great detail about each of the different possible areas that the ivory-bill could be, and without a very good map--and there was not one in the book--I just couldn't maintain interest. When he wrote about his own searches, though, it was fascinating, and I also liked the historical background of the bird and the study of it. It is shocking, really, to think how many of these extremely rare and shy birds were shot in the name of science! There was also a good window into the bickering that goes on in the scientific community regarding the current sitings and how to substantiate them, or, rather, to what degree they need to be substantiated. The obvious problem for the ivory-billed woodpecker is habitat loss due to humans and their vast consumption of forests. It makes me ashamed.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a level-headed, unclouded-by-fanaticism, book about the search for the ivory-billed woodpecker, this is the one to read. Jackson is passionate in his hopes that this species still exists, but he doesn't let his passion interfere with his scientific objectivity. In the process of detailing his search for the bird, he also educates the reader in its natural history. I recommend this book to any curious bird lover.

[Allisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it quite well. He explained in great detail about the likelihood of where an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may live, and where he visited. It was not as great as some of the other books about these interesting birds, but I really enjoyed it. I think it is a must read if you are interested in this species, or just extinct species in general.

[Michaela DuRoss]

Hated

[Joan Kark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about how the ivory-billed woodpecker could have been saved, mostly by saving its habitat from logging.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bird lover and this was enjoyable.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting book. Sad to think of what we've missed out in the way of animals even in the last 50 years or so that are on the verge of being extinct or already are.

[Phil Breidenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is filled full of facts and plenty of "Latin" titles, it still reads like a story.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.