Hobbies And Interests
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
The ivory-billed woodpecker is listed as critically endangered in the United States by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Its native habitat is in the southeast United States from Arkansas east to North Carolina and south to Florida and Puerto Rico. Ivory-billed woodpeckers were considered extinct until a sighting was made in 2005 in Arkansas. In December 2009, Daniel Rainsong claimed to have made a sighting of an ivory-bill, but as of 2010, it has not been positively confirmed. The ivory-bill is the third largest woodpecker in the world. As its name suggests, it has an ivory white bill. It is black with a red head and has large white bands on its wings. Deforestation of mature forest is the leading cause for the endangered status of ivory-billed woodpeckers.
Piping Plover
Piping plovers are shorebirds that roost on beaches and next to water bodies in the Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes and Great Plans regions. Although they are considered endangered, the piping plover population has increased since 1991 due to active management and public education programs. Piping plovers are small, approximately 7 inches long, with yellow legs, white bodies, tan to gray exterior feathers and a black collar. Piping plovers are vulnerable when they lay eggs on a beach that humans frequent. Since their nests are well-camouflaged, they risk being run over by recreational vehicles, dogs or pedestrians. According to the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, the piping plover status has changed from endangered to near-threatened, a less severe status.
California Condor
The California condor was once abundant in western United States from Montana south to California. But in 1987, it became extirpated, meaning only six condors were alive and these were all in captivity. Since then, California condors have been reintroduced to the wild and as of 2006, approximately 400 birds exist in the United States. The California condor is North America's largest flying bird. Its wingspan is at least 9 feet long. It is part of the vulture family and has black plumage with white edges along its wings and an orange to pink head. It feeds on dead carcasses, which has led to its decline through mistakenly eating toxic materials. California condor decline is also due to collision with power lines and hunting.
Golden-cheeked Warbler
In all of the United States, the golden-cheeked warbler only lives in central Texas. Its endangered status is due to the loss of its juniper oak habitats from logging, suburban development and other human practices. Golden-cheeked warblers are small birds approximately 5 inches long. They have black and white plumage, yellow cheeks and dark, horizontal stripes extending from their eyes. Golden-cheeked warblers produce a melodious yet buzzing song that sounds like "laizee daizee."