Record Details
Habitat utilization of the pileated woodpecker, Blue Mountains, Oregon
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Habitat utilization of the pileated woodpecker, Blue Mountains, Oregon |
| Names |
Bull, Evelyn L.
(creator) Meslow, E. Charles (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1975-02-24 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1975 |
| Abstract | In the spring and summer of 1973 and 1974 a study of habitat utilization by pileated woodpeckers (DryocoPus pileatus picinus) was conducted on the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. Pileated woodpeckers are dependent on a forest habitat for feeding and nesting. The alteration of this habitat through intensive timber management is detrimental to the species, particularly because of the elimination of dead wood, both standing and downed. Nests were excavated in large ( >58 cm dbh), tall (>12m), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and larch (Larix occidentalis) snags in areas with mean densities of 494 stems and 50 snags per ha. These nest trees were in forest sites containing the highest densities of stems and snags found on the study area. Pileated woodpeckers fed primarily in dead wood in snags, logs, and naturally created stumps. Feeding occurred in a variety of tree species of various sizes and physical characteristics. Forest sites containing the highest densities of stems and snags on the study area were preferred by the pileated woodpecker for feeding. In 1974, there were at least 13 pairs of pileated woodpeckers on the 11,400 ha study area. This translated to 665 ha of forested habitat per pair. During spring and summer, nesting territories were estimated at 250 to 500 ha. The critical components in pileated woodpecker habitat are: snags, particularly large snags, logs, large trees, diseased trees, dense timber, and high densities of snags. The requisite attributes of size, density, and decadent trees are most common in mature uncut forests. These elements can be maintained at a satisfactory level with moderate modifications of current forest management practices. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Woodpeckers |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/17989 |
