Red-cockaded woodpecker population trends and management on Texas national forests

Abstract

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) population trends and concurrent management on four national forests in eastern Texas were evaluated from 1983 through 1993. Following years of decline, populations stabilized and began to increase after intensive management efforts were initiated. Management activities included control of hardwood midstory and understory, thinning pines within woodpecker cavity-tree cluster areas, use of cavity restrictors and artificial cavities, translocation of first-year woodpeckers to replace lost breeders, and reintroductions of male and female first-year woodpeckers to form totally new breeding pairs. Most newly formed woodpecker groups were associated with midstory removal (30) and installation of artificial cavities (22). Reversal of severe declines on the three small populations in eastern Texas suggests that recovery of other small populations throughout the south is an achievable goal if management is committed to recovery of the species.

Citation

Conner, Richard N.; Rudolph, D. Craig. 1994. Red-cockaded woodpecker population trends and management on Texas national forests. Journal of Field Ornithology. 66(1):140-151.