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AR Natural Heritage Commission » News and Events » Multimedia Gallery » Monthly » Peeping Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at Warren Prairie

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Peeping Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at Warren Prairie

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Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) were re-introduced to open pine woodlands at Warren Prairie Natural Area in October 2010.
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With the help of our partners, we released 5 pairs of birds at 5 different cluster sites. Eight birds have remained in the area, and 3 pairs nested this spring.
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Because Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are an endangered species, we monitor the birds from the time they are eggs. Part of the monitoring process is called "peeping."
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The first step in peeping is to figure out whether a cluster is active. ANHC chief of research Bill Holimon is looking for birds in the vicinity and for sap wells on the trees.
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The peeper is a special tool that allows biologists to look into Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities without having to climb every tree.
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The peeper is extended section by section until the camera is high enough to be placed into the bird's cavity.
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Once inside the cavity, the camera displays a picture on the screen below.
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The peeper has a viewing screen, a light, and a camera.
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The peeper can be extended up to 60 feet.
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ANHC chief of research Bill Holimon looks for indications of a nesting pair. This could be wood chips in the cavity, eggs, or even nestlings.
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Success! Two eggs in a nest!
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While the future of this endangered species is still unsure, the success of this new population at Warren Prairie Natural Area is encouraging.
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rough skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia) at Warren Prairie Natural Area
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Managing a landscape for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers creates the perfect habitat for native wildflowers such as the rough skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia).

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ARKANSAS NATURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION | An Agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage
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