Relationships of red-cockaded woodpecker reproduction and foraging habitat characteristics in Arkansas and Louisiana

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research 2008-10, Vol.54 (4), p.601-608
• Main Authors: Butler, Matthew J., Tappe, Philip A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal reproduction; Autumn; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Birds; Ecology; Eggs; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Foraging behavior; Habitats; Leaf litter; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Understory; Zoology
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-008-0184-9

Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Picoides borealis ) productivity is influenced by characteristics of forests in which they forage. Thus, we investigated the relationships between stand conditions and RCW reproduction. We conducted focal animal sampling two to three times per season for ten RCW groups from September 1999–September 2001 in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana, USA. We measured overstory and understory vegetation characteristics associated with observed foraging sites. Mean diameter at breast height (DBH) of hardwood trees and autumn forb cover were inversely correlated with number of eggs laid. The numbers of eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings were similar between groups with and without helpers, though helpers tended to remain in higher quality habitat. Groups with helpers used foraging areas with greater basal area of pines ( Pinus spp.) ≥25.4 cm DBH, conifer canopy cover, leaf litter cover, litter depth, autumn vine cover, and winter woody cover than groups without helpers. Our results suggested that foraging habitat recommendations should include understory conditions, although additional research is required to clarify the interrelationships between RCW reproduction, forest stand characteristics, and the arthropod community.