HABITAT USE AND MANAGEMENT OF PILEATED WOODPECKERS IN NORTHEASTERN OREGON

We determined home range size and habitats used by pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) to provide essential information for proper management of the species in northeastern Oregon. Twenty-three pileated woodpeckers fitted with transmitters were followed for 5-10 months (Jun-Mar) during 1989-90. Mated pairs (n = 7) ranged over smaller areas (xBAR = 407 ha) than birds (xBAR = 597 ha) whose mates had died (n = 9). Habitat use within home ranges was not random. Stands with old growth, grand fir (Abies grandis), no logging, and greater-than-or-equal-to 60% canopy closure were used more (P < 0.01) than expected, and all other types of stands were used less than expected. From June until March, 38% of the observations of foraging were on downed logs, 38% on dead trees, 18% on live trees, and 6% on stumps. We recommend that management for pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon include increasing density of snags for nesting and foraging, increasing density of downed logs in foraging areas, and increasing management areas from the existing 121 ha to 364 ha of forest. Within these areas, we recommend that 75% be in grand fir forest type; 25% be old growth; and the remainder be mature stands; at least 50% have greater-than-or-equal-to 60% canopy closure; and at least 40% be unlogged with the remainder in mature stands.