Management Techniques For The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker On Federal Lands
Sean Fraser
NRM 304
ABSTRACT
The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) has been listed as an endangered
species since October, 1970. This species inhabits pine forests in the
southeastern United States where the majority of prime timberland is privately
owned. Private ownership of preferred habitat and historically destructive
silvicultural practices create unique problems for federal wildlife managers.
This report analyzes three management techniques being used to assess and
augment red-cockaded woodpecker populations on federal lands in the region,
primarily military installations. Seeking cooperation between diverse
government agencies, wildlife managers attempt to accurately assess species
abundance, alter woodpecker nesting cavities, and construct nest sites in an
effort to enhance red-cockaded woodpecker habitat on limited federal holdings in
the American southeast.
Key words: Picoides borealis, Global Positioning System, Geographic Information
System, cavity trees, cavity restrictors
The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is an endangered species
that inhabits pine forests in an historical range from Texas to the Atlantic
coast (Jackson, 1986; Reed et al., 1988). Picoides borealis nest in clans or
family groups that usually consist of one breeding pair and 2 non-breeding male
helpers (Jackson, 1986 ). This group establishes and defends a territory that
includes foraging habitat and nesting "cavity trees" (Copeyon et al., 1991;
Jackson et al., 1986; Rossell and Gorsira, 1996).&nbs ...