Woodpecker Nesting Habitat in Cut and Uncut Woodlands in Virginia

Abstract

In forest areas common flickers (Colaptes auratus) nested only in dead snags in 1to 12year-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. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 39(1):144-150 Optimum management of a forest for multiple benefits to humans requires intelligent coordination of practices. Little information exists for many nongame species of wildlife which will permit the forest manager to coordinate wildlife and timber management practices. This investigation was conducted to determine if the common flicker and the downy, hairy, and pileated woodpeckers on the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia had specific requirements for nest trees and the surrounding habitat or if they utilized a wide range of conditions.