The following is the uncropped version of the photograph, via the BBC:

A lost bird returns. The Caatinga Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) had not been seen since its discovery in 1926 when Advaldo do Prado came across this one in eastern central Brazil. The country has more globally threatened species than any other. (Image: Guilherme R C Silva/BirdLife)

Let us hope for as clear new evidence of the ivory-billed woodpecker will be developed soon.

My thanks to Arthur Masloski.

+++

Update from Mount Desert Islander.

I found an article in Portugese with two nice pictures at this web site.

From the look of the second picture there is a mirror being used to light the subject. Both images are of superior quality to the one used in the story above. The second picture answers many questions for me.

It’s worth a look.