Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1981

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Abstract

Differences in nest site selection of the common flicker (Colaptes auratus), yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), and red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) were studied on the Big Sioux River riparian forest of eastern South Dakota during 1980 and 1981. Nest site preferences were compared using two-group stepwise discriminant analysis. Randomly selected potential nest trees showing no previous signs of cavity excavation were included as control groups. The yellow-bellied sapsucker-red-headed woodpecker function was the most efficient in separating groups because both species had specific nest site preferences. Sapsuckers nested only in live green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), characteristically in park-like situations. Red-headed woodpeckers typically nested in American elm (Ulmus americana) snag stands with an open canopy and sparse woody understory. Functions involving common clickers or downy woodpeckers were relatively less effective at separating groups because they were more versatile in site selection. Common flickers utilized American elm in snag-dominated stands and green ash in more vigorous portions of the forest. Downy woodpeckers nested in green ash and peach-leaved willow (Salix amygdaloides) in vigorous stands and elm snags in areas with a mixture of live and dead trees, but avoided snap-dominated stands.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Woodpeckers
Birds -- Nests -- South Dakota.
Big Sioux River Valley (S.D. and Iowa)

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 28-31)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

38

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/

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