Picoides borealis
red-cockaded woodpecker

The Red-cockaded woodpecker is found in the Southeastern United States. Populations are distributed as far west as Oklahoma and Texas, north to Kentucky, south into Florida and east to the Alantic Ocean. Primarily concentrated in certain old-growth pine forests. (Poole et al., 1994; Winkler et al., 1995)

These woodpeckers are adapted to mature, living, open-pine forests that are frequently maintained by naturally occurring summer fires. They are particularly dependent on a few species of pinewith substantially strong heartwood. Older trees (70 years or more) are preferred. Species utilized include longleaf (Pinus palustris), slash (P. elliottii), shortleaf (P. echinata), pond (P. serotina) and pitch (P. rigada) pines. (Poole et al., 1994; Short, 1982; Winkler et al., 1995)

Length: 20 to 23 cm Small, white and black woodpecker with a barred back. This characteristic distinguishes it from all other species of the same genus within its range. Large white feathers overlie the ears and cheek area. Underside white or grayish, with notable black spots along the sides of the breast. Male has red spots located on each side of the nape that are seldomly exposed. Female is slightly larger and lack red spots.

(Poole et al., 1994; Short, 1982)

Picoides borealis is non-migratory, sedentary and very gregarious. It resides in smalll family groups (6-10 individuals) that remain in close contact with each other. These groups are referred to as "clans. This bird, at first glance, seems to be exceedingly irritable because of its loud, harsh vocal calls. In fact, an early name for it was Picus querulus. P. borealis is now known to be a very social bird, using these vocalizations for communication. The most commmon calls are for self-announcement and alarm. Churt notes are given when the bird is located in its natural surroundings and it is unaware of human or predator presence. The sklit note is given when the bird is in a state of annoyance or disturbance. Other vocalizations include wicka, rattle and chortle calls. These represent excitedness, self-presence, and greetings, respectively. Vocal exchanges are more common in social groups, and in P. borealis they occur most often when birds are leaving or returning to a cavity.

(Poole et al., 1994; Wnkler et al., 1995)

Picoides borealis is omnivorous, and its diet consists mainly of adult, larvae and eggs of tree surface and subsurface arthropods, especially beetle larvae and ants. Usually forages for food on pine trees by ripping loose bark from the surface with an upward or sideways movement of the bill or in some cases, bark is stripped away with the feet. To a lesser extent, various seeds, nuts (pecans) and fruit are consumed, and occasionally the woodpecker frequents cornfields in search of earworms in a certain larval stage that are residing within the corn kernel. (Bent, 1992; Poole et al., 1994; Short, 1982; Winkler et al., 1995)

Many woodpeckers are notorious for excavating holes in such things as utility poles, fence posts and even houses, but P. borealis is very restricted in habitat, limiting any negative effects on humans. In most cases, however, the pine tree that it resides in with its clan usually dies due to the extensive excavating for nests and roosting sites. (Poole et al., 1994; Skutch, 1985)

Due to its dependence on particular southern pine forests for food and habitat, the Red-cockaded woodpecker has been considered endangered since 1968. Habitat fragmentation, clear-cutting, midstory encroachment of hardwood and natural disasters, including Hurricane Hugo in 1989, have been the major causes of the devastating decline in this species. Remaining populations are concentrated on federal and private lands with the largest located on state land in Florida. There have been two recovery plans written to conserve and rebuild the populations of the woodpecker. One was established in 1979, but was never fully acted upon. Then, in 1985 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced a slightly revised plan. It was based heavily on research by Fish and Wildlife Service biologists on the then largest, healthiest population, located in the Francis Marion National Forest. This plan omitted some sugestions from the previous 1979 plan, including the idea of linking fragmented populations with corridors made from interstate highways, and added others. The general objective of the revised plan was to ultimately achieve range-wide recovery. A specific objective objective was to establish a viable population that consisted of a minimum effective population size of 500 breeding birds. This would maintain desired levels of genetic variation for long-term population survival. The potential carrying capacity was calculated for different areas. Each carrying capacity depended on species compostion, structure and age of forest habitats available. The approximate overall capacity ranged from one clan per 400 acres of habitat to one clan per 200-250 acres of habitat. The American Ornithologist Union highly criticised the efforts of the Fish and Wildlife Service. One of the reported problems was their estimation of the species minimum viable population size. Some argued that the estimation should be 1,018 breeding birds, which in turn, would increase the habitat to 25,450 ha of pine forest, a much larger calculation than suggested by the revised plan. Despite the arguments, this plan has not been changed and no new plan has been written.

Recently, however, new approaches to conservation including old cavity restoration, artificial cavity construction, and the introduction of females into isolated groups, have made some positive advancments towards the increase in populations. The total population is now estimated at about 7,500 individuals.

(Poole et al., 1994; Winkler et al., 1995; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1985)

As mentioned before the Red-cockaded woodpecker nests and roosts in mature pines, but the cavities are also notable because of their peculiar features. Around the cavity entrance the bird drills many small holes, allowing a sticky sap to flow freely from the openings. The bird also strips away the bark surrounding the entrance. By doing this, the resin and the smooth trunk create a defense against aboreal snakes, one of the birds' major predators.