Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Original by David Jenkins Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July 2004

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Habitat Restoration Some management plans include artificial cavities. Some management plans include artificial cavities. Beginning of the cavity. Beginning of the cavity.

Habitat Restoration Clean Cavity Clean Cavity Fitting of the cover Fitting of the cover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Population Levels at the Jones Center

Range The Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 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. 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. Now they Range from Florida to Virginia and west to Oklahoma and east Texas which is about 1% of the original range.

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

Primary Predator Rat Snake Rat Snake They climb the tree and eat the eggs or nestlings. 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. 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. This inhibits the movement of the snakes scales, preventing it from climbing higher.

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

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.

References ckade.html ckade.html ckade.html ckade.html 0a.htm 0a.htm 0a.htm 0a.htm ng_mapping/rcw_restoration_onichauway.htm ng_mapping/rcw_restoration_onichauway.htm ng_mapping/rcw_restoration_onichauway.htm ng_mapping/rcw_restoration_onichauway.htm