Management techniques for the red-cocked woodpecker

- - MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER ON FEDERAL LANDS Sean Fraser NRM 304 ABSTRACT The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) has been listed as an endangered species since October, 1970. This species inhabits pine forests in the southeastern United States where the majority of prime timberland is privately owned. Private ownership of preferred habitat and historically destructive silvicultural practices create unique problems for federal wildlife managers. This report analyzes three management techniques being used to assess and …

…competition for roosting and nesting sites. Since 1986, research into habitat requirements for successful red-cockaded woodpecker colonies have been identified (Copeyon et al., 1991; Jackson, 1986). Improvements in identifying suitable habitat, altering existing cavities to decrease competition for roosting and nesting sites, and initiating formation of red-cockaded woodpecker colonies through construction of artificial cavities have been synthesized into a specific technique of managing federal lands for the red-cockaded woodpecker (Copeyon et al., 1991; Ertep and Lee, 1994; Rossell and Gorsira, 1996).