Forest Characteristics Related to Pileated Woodpecker Territory Size in Missouri

To determine which forest structure characteristics were related to and possibly affected Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) territory size in Missouri, we followed radio-marked Pileated Woodpeckers, sampled habitat within territories, and examined the statistical relationships between territory size and habitat characteristics. Pileated Woodpecker territory size ranged from 53-160 ha. Percent forest overstory canopy cover, percent saw timber cover, and log and stump volume within territories were negatively related to territory size. In light of the structural cues hypothesis (Smith and Shugart 1987), we suggest forest log and stump volume, and percent overstory canopy cover may be structural cues used by Pileated Woodpeckers to ascertain food availability within a forest and Pileated Woodpeckers may adjust territory size in response to these structural cues. We recommend forest managers leave thinning and logging slash on site after management operations so debris can serve as foraging substrates for woodpeckers.