Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) Behavior in a Mississippi Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine Forest

From 1997 to 1999, we characterized red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) behavior in a loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf (P. echinata) pine forest in Mississippi. We recorded stem type and size class used, foraging location, height, first behavior type observed and cumulative behaviors during 5-hour visual observation periods of 41 red-cockaded woodpecker groups. Overall, 94% of all stems used by red-cockaded woodpeckers were pines, whereas only 6% of stems used were hardwoods. However, use of hardwood stems increased during the nonbreeding season. Redcockaded woodpeckers selected large pine stems ( = 47.5 cm) compared to hardwood stems ( = 33 cm). During all seasons, red-cockaded woodpeckers foraged predominantly within the crown and high-trunk area of trees. Foraging and group cohesion behaviors were performed during all seasons, however foraging behaviors increased during the nonbreeding season.