Abstract

The distribution of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Leiopicus medius) is restricted to mature deciduous forests with large trees, mainly oaks (Quercus spp.). Intensive forest management resulted in the loss of many suitable habitats, thus resulting in a decline in the population of this species. This study aimed to identify the parameters of foraging sites in the breeding season (April to June) and in the non-breeding season (other months). The research was conducted in the primeval oak-lime-hornbeam forest of the Białowieża National Park, where foraging woodpeckers were observed and detailed parameters of foraging sites were recorded. During the breeding season woodpeckers foraged primarily on European hornbeams (Carpinus betulus L.), but in non-breeding season the use of this tree species decreased by a factor of two, whereas the use of Norway spruces (Picea abies L.) increased more than twice. The most preferred tree species as a foraging site in both seasons was pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). In the non-breeding season, woodpeckers foraged at sites located higher, and the foraging session was longer compared with the breeding season. In both seasons, woodpeckers preferred dead and large trees and prey gleaning from the tree surface was their dominant foraging technique. Our results confirmed the key role of oaks and large trees, but also revealed the importance of European hornbeams and Norway spruces as foraging sites for the Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

Highlights

  • Published: 25 June 2021The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Leiopicus medius) is a non-migratory species distributed over large parts of Europe from eastern Spain to western Russia, and further in the Caucasus, northern Turkey, Asia Minor and Iran [1]

  • Only two published papers conducted in the Białowieża Forest mentioned the foraging of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker, but the information given there is limited to the contributions of dead trees and common aspen Populus tremula L. used by this species [13,14]

  • The Middle Spotted Woodpecker foraged on eight tree species during the breeding season and on seven tree species during the non-breeding season

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Summary

Introduction

The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Leiopicus medius) is a non-migratory species distributed over large parts of Europe from eastern Spain to western Russia, and further in the Caucasus, northern Turkey, Asia Minor and Iran [1]. It is a habitat specialist, occurring in mature deciduous forests with large trees, especially oaks Quercus spp. Only two published papers conducted in the Białowieża Forest mentioned the foraging of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker, but the information given there is limited to the contributions of dead trees and common aspen Populus tremula L. used by this species [13,14]

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