Woodpeckers as Keystone Species

BirdNote^®

Woodpeckers as Keystone Species

Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote!

[Sound of Pileated Woodpecker excavating nest-hole]
With steady, resounding whacks of its chisel-like bill, a woodpecker excavates a nesting cavity in a tree. A pair of woodpeckers will use the hole for one nesting season, carving out a new one the following spring. But unlike most birds whose nests are good for just one season, the woodpecker’s cavity will have a long and useful career.
 Woodpeckers, master carpenters of the bird world, are called “keystone" species for their crucial role in creating habitat suited to other woodland wildlife. Abandoned woodpecker nest-holes become nests or roosts for small owls, like this Northern Saw-Whet Owl [Northern Saw-whet Owl hoots] or cavity-nesting Wood Ducks.
[Wood Duck squeals].
Swifts, bluebirds, swallows, wrens, and other birds, as well as many mammals, make use of these holes. The snags can become multi-level condominiums for a whole host of wildlife. A venerable, dead tree, broken off at the top and perforated with multiple cavities, may actually be one of the most valuable trees in the forest.
[Call of Northern Flicker]
It’s satisfying to know that some simple choices can improve habitat for birds. For example, if you have to cut down a tree, consider leaving part of it as a snag. You’ll be helping the woodpeckers, and all the species that depend on them for homes. [Sound of woodpecker excavating nest hole]
For BirdNote, I’m Mary McCann.
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Bird audio provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Pileated Woodpecker excavating and call of Northern Saw-whet Owl recorded by G.A. Keller.  Male Wood Duck call recorded by G.B. Reynard. Territorial call of Northern Flicker recorded by W.V. Ward.
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2013 Tune In to Nature.org   August 2018/2020   Narrator: Mary McCann

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