A Mobile Aviary to Enhance Translocation Success of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers

Abstract

The red-cockaded woodpecker is a federally endangered species endemic to the pine forests of the southeastern United States. The Federal Red-cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Plan emphasized restoration ofpopulations within physiographic provinces throughout their range to provide for region-wide, long-term survival. Restoration efforts included habitat enhancement and translocations. A review of red-cockaded woodpecker translocation throughout their rangefound translocations offemales to resident males to be the most successful (66%); translocations of males to suitable habitat were less successful (42%). Improved translocation techniques will allow small populations to be increased more quickly, and thereby reduce the likelihood of local extirpations. We describe a experimental mobile aviary to enhance translocation success of red-cockaded woodpeckers. If successful, this technology will be significant to the regional recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Citation

Edwards, John W.; Dachelet, Charles A.; Smathers, Webb M. 1997. A Mobile Aviary to Enhance Translocation Success of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Proceedings of the 37^th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists