Baby Red-cockaded Woodpecker by J.W. Snipes

"Endangered Species"

Two years ago when this image was taken, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker was not only on the endangered list, but was on the critical list. They were put on the endangered list in 1970 and continued on a drastic decline.  Natural predators are only a minor problem. A "colony", consisting of 2 to 10 birds on the average, is extremely territorial defending 100 to 200 acres of "open woodland". Mans practices of no fires and logging the 80 to 120 year old pine trees causes them to abandon their territory. They only nest in the old large pines with red heart disease. (heart fungus)  Another handicap they face is, like a lion pride or wolf pack, these colonies have a dominate male and a dominate female which are the only ones that breed. The others help raise and feed the young. The colonies with helpers seem to fledge more young than the pairs do. This year the colonies in Louisiana seem to be mostly pairs. It is reported that the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is holding its own at present, but will need a lot of help in order to survive extinction.

Bill is one the the two people certified to handle this type endangered species in the northeast Louisiana and southern Arkansas area. Please note, it is against the law for "anyone" to handle endangered species without federal certification. He took this picture while on a colony banding and count trip in the D/Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge for that federal agency.
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