Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Arkansas
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources


Krementz, D. G., and J. D. Luscier. 2010. Woodpecker densities in the Big Woods of Arkansas. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 1:102-110.

Abstract

Sightings of the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) in the Big Woods of 11 Arkansas initiated a series of studies on how to best manage habitat for this endangered 12 species as well as all woodpeckers in the area. Previous work suggested that densities of 13 other woodpeckers, particularly pileated (Dryocopus pileatus) and red-bellied 14 woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus), might be useful in characterizing habitat use by the 15 ivory-billed woodpecker. We estimated densities of all woodpeckers in the Big Woods 16 during the breeding seasons of 2006 and 2007 and also during the winter season of 2007. 17 Our estimated densities were as high as or higher than previously published woodpecker 18 density estimates for the southeastern United States. Density estimates ranged from 9.1 19 to 161.3 inds/km2 across 6 woodpecker species. Our data suggest that the Big Woods of 20 Arkansas is attractive to all woodpeckers using the region.