Forest Health: Red Cockaded Woodpecker

Extirpation in Kentucky

The red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), Picoides borealis, is a federally endangered species that is dependent upon mature pine forest habitat. These birds require mature pine for cavity nesting, roosting and foraging for insects. As a result of the southern pine beetle epidemic on the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky’s population of RCW was lost.

Prior to SPB infestation, extensive management efforts on the forest for RCW were proving successful. A critical population decline of RCW was being turned around. A habitat management area for RCW was established on the southern end of the Daniel Boone. Management efforts were being implemented within this 54,000-acre area to restore a viable population of RCW in Kentucky.

By 1995, Kentucky’s population of RCW had declined to only three known birds. Between February 1995 and September 1999, a total of fifty RCW were moved from other states and released within the habitat management area on the Daniel Boone. These “translocations” were conducted to recover RCW and prevent extirpation of this species in Kentucky. The population of RCW in Kentucky gradually increased from three known birds to twenty-three in 2000

As SPB activity began to spread on the Daniel Boone, attempts were made to control their infestation within or near the active cluster sites of the endangered RCW. SPB-infested trees were cut from the active RCW sites and surrounding areas. While the cutting activities slowed the spread of beetles into the RCW sites, the pine trees would eventually succumb to SPB. The southern pine beetles have destroyed nearly all of the pine habitat that was once available for RCW on the Daniel Boone.

It became apparent by the early months of 2001 that RCW could no longer survive the degraded pine habitat conditions on the Forest. In consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, fifteen RCW that could be found on the Daniel Boone were successfully relocated out of Kentucky. Thirteen birds were moved to Arkansas and South Carolina in March 2001. The remaining two birds were moved to Georgia in September 2001.

Insect Threats

Chestnut Borer | Gypsy Moth | Hemlock Woolly Aldegid | Southern Pine Beetle | Sudden Oak Death

Other Forest Health Topics

Four Threats to Forest Health | Forest Health Initiative | Invasive Species | Prescribed Burning

Title: RCW
Last Updated: July 27, 2009