Texas - Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

	Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - Picoides Borealis
STATUS: Endangered without critical habitat. DESCRIPTION: A "ladder-backed" 8-inch long woodpecker with a solid black cap and a nape, and prominent white cheek patches. The male has a tiny red streak behind the eye and near the ear (the cockade). Similar to the downy and hairy woodpeckers in general appearance, but the red-cockaded woodpecker has a barred back, spotted breast, and the male has red on either side of head rather than on nape. HABITAT: Open, old-aged (60-70+ years) loblolly, shortleaf, and especially slash and logleaf pine woodlands; rarely if ever in dense woodlands. Presence of old trees with heart rot are essential for roosting and nesting sites. DISTRIBUTION: Southeastern U.S. from North Carolina to Florida and west to eastern Texas Present: Southeastern U.S. pine forest from North Carolina to Florida, west to Oklahoma, and Texas. Historic: Western edge of range formerly reached 34 counties in eastern Texas. THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Decrease in the quality and quantity of old growth forest nesting habitat, primarily due to short term rotation timber management on private and public forests and to fire suppression. Southern pine beetle infestations on National Forests have contributed to the decline of suitable red-cockaded woodpecker foraging and nesting habitat. OTHER INFORMATION: The Recovery Plans was revised in 1985. The 1991 Red-cockaded Woodpecker pre-breeding season population in Texas was 583 birds, with 60% of these on the Sam Houston National Forest. The Interim Standards and Guidelines for Protection and management of Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat within 3/4 mile of colony sites have been proposed for red-cockaded woodpecker management on National Forests. Similar guidelines for Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat management on state and private lands are being developed. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a colonial cooperative breeder traveling in family groups(clans). The diet of the woodpecker consist mainly of insects (85%) but also includes small fruits and seeds (15%). REFERENCES: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - Picoides Borealis

STATUS: Endangered without critical habitat.

DESCRIPTION: A "ladder-backed" 8-inch long woodpecker with a solid black cap and a nape, and prominent white cheek patches. The male has a tiny red streak behind the eye and near the ear (the cockade). Similar to the downy and hairy woodpeckers in general appearance, but the red-cockaded woodpecker has a barred back, spotted breast, and the male has red on either side of head rather than on nape.

HABITAT: Open, old-aged (60-70+ years) loblolly, shortleaf, and especially slash and logleaf pine woodlands; rarely if ever in dense woodlands. Presence of old trees with heart rot are essential for roosting and nesting sites.

DISTRIBUTION: Southeastern U.S. from North Carolina to Florida and west to eastern Texas

Present: Southeastern U.S. pine forest from North Carolina to Florida, west to Oklahoma, and Texas.
Historic: Western edge of range formerly reached 34 counties in eastern Texas.

THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Decrease in the quality and quantity of old growth forest nesting habitat, primarily due to short term rotation timber management on private and public forests and to fire suppression. Southern pine beetle infestations on National Forests have contributed to the decline of suitable red-cockaded woodpecker foraging and nesting habitat.

OTHER INFORMATION: The Recovery Plans was revised in 1985. The 1991 Red-cockaded Woodpecker pre-breeding season population in Texas was 583 birds, with 60% of these on the Sam Houston National Forest. The Interim Standards and Guidelines for Protection and management of Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat within 3/4 mile of colony sites have been proposed for red-cockaded woodpecker management on National Forests. Similar guidelines for Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat management on state and private lands are being developed. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a colonial cooperative breeder traveling in family groups(clans). The diet of the woodpecker consist mainly of insects (85%) but also includes small fruits and seeds (15%).

REFERENCES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico