RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER 



Picoides borealis Vieillot 



KINGDOM Animalia 



CLASS Aves 



ORDER Piciformes 



FAMILY Picidae 



OTHER COMMON NAMES none 



DATE 



Entered into SWIS to be determined 



Updates 17 October 1976, 1 March 1977 



LEGAL STATUS 



Federal: Endangered (35 FR 16047, 13 Octo- 

 ber 1970). 



States: Endangered: Florida, Georgia, Missis- 



sippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

 Texas. Extirpated: Missouri. 



REASONS FOR CURRENT STATUS 



The primary reason for the current status of 

 the red-cockaded woodpecker is a decrease in 

 quantity and quality of suitable habitat, primarily 

 due to the short-term-rotation timber management 

 currently being practiced in the Southeast. Short- 

 term-rotation prevents the development of ma- 

 ture, diseased pine trees that are necessary for 

 roosting and nesting. 



PRIORITY INDEX 



Not assigned. 



DESCRIPTION 



The red-cockaded woodpecker is small, 18 to 

 20 cm long, with awingspanof 35 to 38 cm. The 

 cap and nape are black, surrounding a large, white 

 cheek patch. Wings and back are black, horizon- 



