Survivorship of Pileated Woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon.

Abstract

Knowledge of the survival of the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is essential in managing viable populations of the species. In eight study areas in northeastern Oregon, survivorship of adult Pileated Woodpeckers was 0.60 after 6 mo, 0.47 after 12 me, and 0.35 after 18 mo. Of three juveniles radio-tagged in late summer or fall, two survived to breed the next year. Of 13 juveniles radio-tagged as nestlings, 23-54% survived 3.5 mo. In these populations adult mortality exceeded recruitment of young into the breeding population. Survival may have been influenced by transmitter attachments, habitat quality, or annual variability in predation.

Citation

Bull, Evelyn L. 2001. Survivorship of Pileated Woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon. Journal of Field Ornithology. 72(1): 131-135