Daniel London RENR /26/2015

The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus borealis Diet: Scales pine bark in search of insects and arthropods; some fruit and seeds Protection Status: Endangered Weight: oz. Length: in Wingspan: 14.2 in Preferred Habitat: Open pine forest maintained by frequent fires, especially longleaf pine forests.

Did you know…? RCW only build nests in live pines. However, they often select trees infected with red heart fungus which softens the wood and makes digging easier. The live pine will then drip pitch around the hole. The flow of pitch helps keep tree-climbing snakes away from the nest (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2009).

Highly Specific Habitat Range Favored trees are often more than 80 years old and nests are usually 20 to 50 feet above the ground Families excavate multiple nesting cavities within their territory, each of which may take two or more years to dig out Open woodlands require frequent burns to prevent clogging by understory species Favor the slow-growing longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) which can take many years to grow out of its initial, grass-like stage

Habitat Loss According to a recovery plan by the USFWS, “The primary threat to the species continues to be destruction or degradation of its habitat as a result of timbering and other land-clearing” (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service). Longleaf pines cutover and replaced Extant (Resident) Possibly Extinct IUCN Red List’s RCW Range Map

Population Trends During colonial times the estimate is between 920,000 to >1.5 million groups. In 1978, the estimated population of RCW was between 1,500 to 3,000 clusters and 4,500 to 10,500 birds (Center for Biological Diversity). The current estimate is 14,068 individuals living in 5,627 clusters (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service). RCW are cooperative breeders; ‘helpers’ replace dead breeders Number of clusters is a better measure of population size than individuals

Economic and Ecological Value Economic Value RCW hold little economic value other than ecotourism and government incentive programs Ecological Value Primary cavity nester of the southern pine forests More than 27 species rely on their ability to build cavities, including flying squirrels and numerous woodpecker species

Surveying Techniques Cavity trees are very conspicuous which makes breeding areas simple to spot Cavity trees can be located by walking linear transects or flying helicopter transects Demographic monitoring often requires banding RCW Adults can be captured with mist or mosquito nets Banding nestlings requires climbing cavity trees

The Future of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Some causes for uncertainty RCW rely heavily on the disappearing longleaf pine Purely ecological value; little economic incentive Heading in the right direction The estimated RCW population is 50% higher than in 1978 Lots of effort is being put towards the cause

Work Cited The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Red-cockaded Woodpecker." All About Birds. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 21 Apr Web. 26 Apr The International Union for Conservation of Nature. "Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Range Map." IUCN Red List. Species Survival Commision, 21 Dec Web. 26 Apr Gibbons, Whit. "WHAT GOOD IS A RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER?"Savannah River Ecology Labratory. Savannah River Ecology Labratory, 24 July Web. 26 Apr U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Forest Resources. "Red-Cockaded Woodpecker." South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan. Clemson, SC: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Forest Resources, Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Forest Resources, 20 June Web. 26 Apr Center for Biological Diversity. "Red-cockaded Woodpecker." Center for Biological Diversity. Center for Biological Diversity, 12 Oct Web. 27 Apr