imperial woodpecker
campephilus imperialis latin

The largest of all woodpeckers is the closely related Imperial Woodpecker ('C.

Imperial Woodpecker, Campephilus imperialis - possibly extinct (late 20th century)

This removal of habitat has resulted in the presumed extinction of the Imperial Woodpecker, once the largest woodpecker on earth.

Over harvesting of the forests in the area has caused the extinction of the Imperial Woodpecker and Mexican Wolf.

The largest woodpecker was, at least until the 20th century, the Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) of Mexico.

The Imperial Woodpecker is known from about 160 museum specimens and a single amateur film from 1956 depicting one bird climbing, foraging and flying.

Since there are no known photographs or recordings of a living Imperial Woodpecker these specimens are the only records ornithologists have to study and understand the species.

The Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) is - or was - a member of the woodpecker family Picidae.

The closely related and likewise possibly extinct Imperial Woodpecker (C. imperialis) of western Mexico is, or was, the largest woodpecker.

The Museum also has numerous rare items in its collection, including two specimens of the likely-to-be extinct Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis).

A recent study compared DNA samples taken from specimens of both Ivory-billed birds along with the Imperial Woodpecker, a larger but otherwise very similar bird.

Given the near total destruction of its original habitat, and the lack of any confirmed sightings in over 50 years, most ornithologists believe the Imperial Woodpecker must be extinct.

The Imperial Woodpecker is officially listed as Critically Endangered (possibly extinct) by the IUCN and BirdLife International.

With the likely extinct of the Ivory-billed and Imperial Woodpeckers (Campephilus imperialis), the Magellanic Woodpecker is the largest remaining member of the Campephilus genus.

Two species of woodpeckers, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Imperial Woodpecker, have been considered extinct for about 30 years (there has been some controversy recently whether these species still exist).

The only North American birds of similar plumage and size are the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the Southeastern United States and Cuba, and the related Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico.

Natural holes in trees may be used, particularly those in dead trees, otherwise holes created by other species; in Mexico Military Macaws still use the cavities excavated by the now critically endangered Imperial Woodpecker.

If both the Ivory-billed and Imperial Woodpeckers are indeed extinct, the largest extant woodpecker is the Great Slaty Woodpecker of Southeast Asia, at about 50 cm (20 inches) and 450 g (1 lb).

A more recent study by Fleischer, Kirchman et al. has however suggested that not only are the Cuban and American forms genetically distinct, but also that they and the Imperial Woodpecker form a distinct North American clade within Campephilus that appeared in the Mid-Pleistocene.

The forests are home to more than 300 species of birds including Golden Eagle, Thick-billed Parrot (which is now endangered having been trapped for collections), Military Macaw and Tufted Jay, and were once home to the Imperial Woodpecker which is now thought to be extinct.

The largest woodpecker was, at least until the 20th century, the Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) of Mexico.

The Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) is - or was - a member of the woodpecker family Picidae.

The Museum also has numerous rare items in its collection, including two specimens of the likely-to-be extinct Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis).