Foraging ecology of pileated woodpeckers in coastal forests of Washington.

Abstract

Providing habitat for pileated woodpeckers in the Pacific Northwest has been a key component of forest management strategies for over 20 years. We investigated the diet of pileated woodpeckers, and selection by birds of both individual structure and site characteristics for foraging. Birds foraged amost exclusively in closed-canopy habitats and selected relatively tall, large-diameter snags in early to moderate stages of decay. Sites used for foraging had greater densities of large snags (>51 cm d.b.h. and >7.4 m tall) than sites that were not used. Contrary to previous studies, this study found logs were rarely used for foraging. In coastal forests, logs appeared to be too cool and wet to support carpenter ants, which were the primary prey of pileated woodpeckers.

Citation

Raley, C.M.; Aubry, K.B. 2006. Foraging ecology of pileated woodpeckers in coastal forests of Washington. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 70(5): 1266-1275