Diet of the red-cockaded woodpecker in the Apalachicola national forest

Article Abstract:

The red-cockaded woodpecker is a protected species in the US, mainly because of the erosion of its habitat. Most remaining populations inhabit public land but the bird continues to decline for reasons that are unclear. A study of the red-cockaded woodpecker in the Apalachicola national forest investigates the link between its habitat and diet. It is shown that ants are the dominant prey item, mostly being the arboreal ant Crematogaster ashmeadi. Territories that are regularly burned have more diverse ant species and fewer trees occupied by C. ashmeadi than those burned less frequently. It is suggested that further work be carried out on interactions between insect communities within pine trees.

Environmental aspects, Food and nutrition, Natural history, Ants, Apalachicola National Forest, Florida

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An experimental test of interspecific competition for red-cockaded woodpecker cavities

Article Abstract:

The red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), an endangered species, is unique among the North American woodpeckers in scooping cavities in living pine trees. Such cavities are used for nesting, rearing young and roosting. The lack of suitable cavities is thought to be a crucial factor limiting population expansion. A study tests whether artificial nest boxes near the cavity trees of RCW improved their reproductive success and limited cavity use by other species. The study shows that RCW reproductivity is decreased by other species using RCW cavities, although the reduction of RCW cavity use by other species with adjacent nest boxes had limited success.

Behavior, Habitats, Birds, Bird breeding, Habitat partitioning (Biology), Animals, Habitat partitioning (Ecology)

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Habitat quality and reproduction of red-cockaded woodpecker groups in Florida

Article Abstract:

Recent research undertaken in a population of red-cockaded woodpeckers in the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida indicates no connection between the number of young fledged and the availability of pine trees or extent of habitat fragmentation. No evidence was produced to refute the theory that reproductive success and group size are the same for groups with varying amounts of available foraging habitat. In terms of the management of foraging, the research indicates that no moves should be taken against actions designed to benefit red-cockaded woodpeckers long-term.

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