Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

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Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

• Original by David Jenkins
• Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education
  Curriculum Office
• July 2004

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Red-Cockaded WoodpeckerPicoides borealis
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Introduction

• Red Cockaded Woodpecker
• The red cockaded woodpecker is an endangered bird
  that thrives in old growth pine stands in the
  southeastern united states.
• It entered the endangered species list in 1970.

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Introduction

• It has become endangered primarily due to habitat
  loss.
• Historically its range extended from Florida to
  New Jersey and as far west as Texas and Oklahoma.

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Habitat

• The red-cockaded woodpecker makes its home in
  mature southern pine forest, preferably longleaf
  pines (Pinus palustris).

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Habitat

• They have a fairly open under story free of
  hardwoods.
• Historically this was controlled by wildfires set
  by Indians.
• Now land owners use prescribed fires.

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Habitat

• The trees must be living.
• The average age of the trees are 80 to 150 years
  old.

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Habitat

• The tree must also have a fungus called Red Heart
  Disease.
• This causes the heartwood to become soft.
• Cavities take 1 to 3 years to excavate.

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Habitat Destruction

• From the late 1800s to the mid 1900s mature
  pine forest began to disappear due to logging.

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Habitat Restoration

• Most of the forestlands that are large enough to
  provide habitat are on federal lands.
• The U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense
  have developed special management guidelines for
  woodpecker habitat.

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Habitat Restoration

• Industry has also made conservation agreements by
  setting aside woodpecker habitat.
• Small landowners are also helping out by setting
  aside land and using proper management
  techniques.

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Habitat Restoration

• Many management plans include cavity management.
• This includes removal of squirrels or other
  birds.
• This increases habitat for the Red Cockaded
  Woodpecker.

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Habitat Restoration

• Some management plans include artificial
  cavities.
• Beginning of the cavity.

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Habitat Restoration

• Clean Cavity
• Fitting of the cover

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Habitat Restoration

• Using epoxy
• Making it blend
• Painting stripes to give the effect of sap.
  
  

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Description

• White post ocular spot.
• Bold white cheeks.
• White under parts.
• Black rump.

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Description

• Black tail has white outer tail feathers barred
  with black.
• Adult male has a red spot at rear margin of white
  face and is rarely visible.

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Description

• Approximately 7 inches long.
• Wingspan about 15 inches
• Its back is barred with black and white
  horizontal stripes.
• Black cap and nape

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Nesting

• Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers nest in clusters.
• They have 1 to 20 or more cavity trees on 3 to 60
  acres. (Avg. 10 acres)
• An active cavity has resin well that exude sap.
  This is a protective barrier from snakes, rats,
  and other possible predators.

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Nesting

• A typical territory for a group ranges from about
  125 to 200 acres, but can be as low as 60 acres.
• The size of the territory is related to habitat
  stability and population density.

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Reproduction

• Red Cockaded Woodpeckers are territorial
  cooperative breeders.
• They keep the same mate for several years and
  sometimes for their lifespan.

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Reproduction

• Nesting season lasts from April through June.
• Three to four eggs are laid.
• Group members help incubate the eggs for 10 to 12
  days.

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Reproduction

• Once hatched, the nestlings stay in the cavity
  for about 26 days.
• The young often remain with the parent forming
  groups of three to four.
• Only one pair breeds within a group.

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Population Levels

• It is estimated that there are 4,500 family units
  or groups of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers.
• It is estimated that there are 10,000 to 14,000
  individuals in existence.

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Population Levels at the Jones Center
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Range

• The Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers range.
• Historically, they extended from Florida to New
  Jersey, as far west as Texas and Oklahoma and as
  far inland as Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
• Now they Range from Florida to Virginia and west
  to Oklahoma and east Texas which is about 1 of
  the original range.

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Diet

• Primary
• Beetles, Spiders, Roaches, Grasshoppers,
  Caterpillars, Wood-boring Insects
• Lesser Quantities
• Seeds, Fruits

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Primary Predator

• Rat Snake
• They climb the tree and eat the eggs or
  nestlings.
• The woodpecker protects itself by chipping small
  holes in the tree causing the sap to ooze out.
• This inhibits the movement of the snakes scales,
  preventing it from climbing higher.

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The Red Cockaded Woodpeckers Role

• Abandoned cavities are used by smaller birds such
  as Chickadees, Blue birds, or other Woodpeckers.
• Sometimes larger wood peckers such as Pileated
  take over the cavity enlarging it. This makes it
  accessible to Owls, Squirrels, Wood ducks, and
  Raccoons.

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Conclusion

• The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker is a vital organism
  in its habitat. Federally funded programs should
  remain in place to maintain, if not increase
  population numbers. This is a very unique bird
  and should be preserved for future generations.

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References

• http//rcwrecovery.fws.gov/rcw.html
• http//texas-extension.tamu.edu
• http//www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/recockade.
  html
• http//birding.abrut.com/library/weekly/aa01230a.h
  tm
• http//www.jonesctr.org/conservation/monitoring_ma
  pping/rcw_restoration_onichauway.htm