The red-cockaded woodpecker used to be very abundant in the southeastern United States. Their range used to extend north to New Jersey and inland towards Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, however, due to habitat loss and fire suppression their range has declined. Today, their range runs north to parts of Virginia, all the way south to Florida, and out west towards Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. These woodpeckers are found in open pineland habitats (ideally mature pinelands) with an open understory. Populations of this bird have become scattered throughout their range due to habitat loss because of land clearing, logging, and conversion of forest into agricultural uses. This habitat loss has contributed to a decline in the population, where they are now deemed as near threatened on the IUCN red list. To help improve the populations of these woodpeckers, scientists and conservationists have come together to help count and manage the population through the translocation of individual birds or breeding pairs into more populated areas which provide mates and habitats that support breeding pairs and increase genetic diversity.
Prescribed Burns
Wildfires often have a negative connotation due to the impact they have, however, these are naturally occurring events. These fires occur from natural events such as lightning strikes, high winds and temperatures, and natural sparks which create friction and heat. Many ecosystems have come to rely on the role of these fires that help with the maintenance of the ecosystem overall. Decreased natural fires in a natural setting increase the likelihood of non-native and even invasive species in an area. Natural burns also help to maintain the life cycles of natural plants and animals in that ecosystem. Overgrowth of taller and mature trees prevents new growth underneath them from developing fully due to a lack of natural resources such as sunlight. Since these woodpeckers rely on open understories for hunting and foraging, the maintenance of the understory through frequent fires is important for their survival. These birds are insectivores (animals that eat insects), feeding mainly on ants, beetles, cockroaches, and spiders among other insects that dwell in the bark of trees. They will also supplement their diet with seeds and berries as well.
Keystone Species
The red-cockaded woodpecker is known as a keystone species due to the tree cavities and nests they build in live pine trees. Keystone species are defined as a species whose role is necessary for the ecosystem and cannot be replaced. If these species are removed, it will affect the entire ecosystem because many other organisms rely on their services. These woodpeckers are unique as they are some of the only species that will build nest cavities into live pine trees. These tree cavities that these woodpeckers build help provide shelter and protection from fire for around 30 other species including birds, lizards, squirrels, frogs, and snakes. With this species’ population declining and being deemed as near-threatened, scientists are becoming more concerned with increasing population sizes through proper management and protection of their habitats. This is being done by helping relocate breeding pairs to pre-determined locations that can fully support these pairs.