Aspen Bibliography
Use and Selection of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cavities by Southern Flying Squirrels
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume
57
Issue
2
First Page
329
Last Page
335
Publication Date
1993
Abstract
Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) may have a negative impact on red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCW's, Picoides borealis). Thus, I examined cavities excavated by RCW's in central Georgia during 4 breeding seasons to determine the extent of cavity use by southern flying squirrels and other competitors, and to determine whether flying squirrels select cavities on the basis of cavity or tree characteristics. Species other than RCW's occupied 18-25% of the RCW cavities over the 4 years. Flying squirrels used 10-21% of RCW cavities, whereas avian species other than RCW's used 4-8% of the cavities. Flying squirrels selected cavities primarily on the basis of cavity entrance size. Entrances to cavities used by flying squirrels were smaller (P ≤ 0.05) than entrances to unused cavities, and squirrels strongly preferred (P ≤ 0.05) cavities that had not been enlarged. Because RCW's also prefer non-enlarged cavities, the potential for competitive interactions between the 2 species exists, particularly when non-enlarged cavities are limited.
Recommended Citation
Loeb, Susan C. 1993. Use and Selection of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cavities by Southern Flying Squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management 57 (2): 329-353.