Nest-Site Characteristics of White-Headed Woodpeckers
Milne KA and Hejl SJ. 1989. Nest-Site Characteristics of White-Headed Woodpeckers. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 53(1):50-55
We described nest tree and site characteristics of 53 nests of the northern race of the white-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus albolarvatus) from the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California. We located nests in a variety of habitats and in most tree species, although 89% were in pines (Pinus spp.) and firs (Abies spp.). Nests were located near the ground (x̄ = 3.0 m above ground level). The mean diameter breast height (dbh) of nest trees on 2 mapping grids, where some of our nests were located, did not differ (P > 0.80, P > 0.20) from random samples of snags on the corresponding grids. Most snags used for nest cavities were in a moderate state of decay. Existing snag-management policies of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in California will probably provide sufficient snags of the right diameter classes for white-headed woodpeckers, provided interactions with other cavity nesters does not limit their use of nest sites.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Milne, Kathleen; Hejl, Sallie
- Units
- SEKI , YOSE
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Nests & Nesting, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks CA, White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus)