Woodpecker nesting habitat in cut and uncut woodlands in Virginia

Richard N. Conner; Robert G. Hooper; Hewlette S. Crawford; Henry S. Mosby

doi:10.2307/3800477

Treesearch

Woodpecker nesting habitat in cut and uncut woodlands in Virginia

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Richard N. Conner, Robert G. Hooper, Hewlette S. Crawford, Henry S. Mosby

Year:

1975

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2307/3800477

Source:

The Journal of Wildlife Management

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Download (PDF 281 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/59513.pdf

Abstract

In forest areas common flickers (Colaptes auratus) nested only in dead snags in 1- to 12-year-old clearcuts. Pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) nested in mature, dense stands with high basal area, and downy woodpeckers (Dendrocopos pubescens) nested in sparsely stocked stands with lower basal area. The hairy woodpecker (D. villosus) nested in stands intermediate to and overlapping the habitats selected by the pileated and downy woodpeckers. All nest cavities of the four species of woodpeckers were excavated in decayed wood of trees infected by fungal heart rots. Timber management may be detrimental to woodpeckers if all decayed trees are removed. Uncut filter strips along streams and roads appear to be of value as woodpecker nesting habitat.

Citation

Conner, Richard N.; Hooper, Robert G.; Crawford, Hewlette S.; Mosby, Henry S. 1975. Woodpecker nesting habitat in cut and uncut woodlands in Virginia. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 39(1): 144-150.