Distribution and Habitat of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Big Cypress National Preserve
Patterson GA and Robertson WB. 1981. Distribution and Habitat of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Big Cypress National Preserve. SFRC T-613. South Florida Natural Resources Center. Homestead, Florida
Surveys in 1979 and 1980 revealed that pine forests of the Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) support a sizable and largely unsuspected population of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a federally-listed endangered species. We located 23 colonies, 18 of which were active. Twelve of the active colonies were north of the Tamiami Trail in the Collier County portion of BICY and six were in the Lostmans Pines section in Monroe County. Because large areas of apparently prime habitat are yet to be searched, we estimate that the minimum population in BICY is 40 active colonies. It is the southernmost, and probably the largest, of the four remaining local populations of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in southern Florida which are viable size and have relatively secure habitat. As such, it represents a significant element in the total species population.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Patterson, Gary; Robertson, William
- Date of Issue
- 1981-03
- Publisher
- South Florida Natural Resources Center
- Units
- BICY
- Keywords
- Big Cypress, red-cockaded, SFNRCTRS, woodpecker