Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Abstract

Characteristics of woodpecker nest trees have been widely studied in some regions of North America. However, there is little research from the Upper Midwest. Forest managers need information on woodpecker nest tree characteristics so they can recommend leaving during harvest trees that meet the needs of cavity-dwelling wildlife. Information specific to the Upper Midwest is especially important given that declines in several species of cavity nesting birds have been predicted by an environmental analysis of timber harvest in Minnesota. Our purpose was to identify attributes of nest trees used by primary cavity-nesting birds. We compared nest trees to unused trees and examined differences in nest trees among woodpecker species. We found 166 active woodpecker nests in upper midwestern oak forests in 1997 and 1998. For each nest tree, we recorded height, diameter, status, and aspects of tree decay. We also measured four potential nest trees (non-nest trees, within size requirements of cavity-nesting birds, with at least 2 indicators of heartwood decay) closest to each active nest tree. Additionally, we recorded these measurements for 137 randomly selected potential nest trees. Using paired t-tests and chi-square analysis, we found each woodpecker species had a unique set of characteristics that separated nest trees from potential nest trees. Using an extension of the McNemar test for related samples, we found woodpeckers as a group used trees that were larger, both in diameter and height, more often elm (Ulmus americana, U. rubra) or aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata), more likely to have old cavities present, and with more decay indicators than adjacent potential nest trees. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) differed from the other woodpecker species by nesting in living Trembling Aspens (Populus tremuloides) with intact tops, complete bark cover, and heartwood fungus. Diameters of nest trees differed significantly among woodpecker species, but unlike findings from other studies, the height of nest hole and nest tree did not. Woodpecker nest entrances faced south or southeast significantly more often than by chance alone, even when excluding leaning trees. This study suggests that generic forest management for all woodpecker species may not be adequate because individual species have specific nest tree requirements. Management recommendations for cavity-nesting birds need to be tailored to meet the needs of a diversity of species.

Red-headed Woodpecker Habitat Selection and Breeding Ecology on Fort Drum Military Installation, New York

“…> 20 different tree species reported), several studies have noted that certain tree species are selected at greater frequency than available. Red-headed woodpeckers have been shown to selectively nest in mature quaking aspen , bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) and northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) (King et al 2007, Adkins-Giese andCuthbert 2005), American elm (Ulmus americana) (Jackson 1976), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) (Gutzwiller andAnderson 1987, Sedgwick and, and eastern white oak (Quercus alba) and hickory . Woodpeckers often select, or excavate, nests at a specific directional orientation.…”

“…Red-headed Woodpeckers in our study area experienced relatively low reproductive success, particularly when compared with other cavity-nesting species that typically have high rates of nesting success (e.g., > 50%; . Furthermore, the majority of research investigating Red-headed Woodpecker nesting habitat use has focused on fine-scale assessments of nest-site selection (i.e., features of the nest tree and immediately surrounding vegetation) (Sedgewick and Knopf 1990, Adkins-Giese and Cuthbert 2005) and few studies have described larger-scale selection of breeding habitats (i.e., 2 nd order selection sensu ) (Gutzwiller and Anderson 1987, Frie et al 2013).…”