Justification for Selection of Umbrella Species in Open Pine Habitats within the West Gulf
Coastal Plain/Ouachitas Bird Conservation Region
Red-cockaded woodpecker
The red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) was selected as an umbrella species due to its reliance on large
(≥14” dbh) pines in mature (≥80 year old) stands with relatively low basal areas (≤60ft2/ac), sparse
(<20%) midstories, and general absence of hardwoods – habitat characteristics maintained through
frequent fires (3-5 year burn intervals). The RCW’s large home range (~600 ac) is large enough to
encompass the minimum patch size requirements of all other avian species of concern occurring in
open pine. RCWs historically ranged throughout the West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachitas (WGCP/O) in
the old growth pine forests that were once common across the landscape. As suitable open pine
habitats have become increasingly isolated, the ability to pioneer new habitats has become a major
limiting factor affecting long-term sustainability of RCW populations in the absence of management.
The very low rate (approaching zero) of colonization, extremely stringent requirements for cavity
excavation, and social dynamics of cooperative breeding combine to limit the effective dispersal
distance of RCWs. Thus, landscapes through which RCWs can successfully disperse and colonize
new habitats are likely suitably connected for almost all other open pine species as well.
Brown-headed nuthatch
Similar to RCWs, brown-headed nuthatches are associated with large (≥14” dbh) pines; however,
brown-headed nuthatches have generally less restrictive habitat requirements than RCWs and are
found in many stands from which RCWs are absent. The broader niche space and greater colonizing
ability of brown-headed nuthatches compared to RCWs make the former species an excellent umbrella
for priority species that can utilize open pine stands in spatial contexts and habitat conditions that
would be unsuitable for RCWs (e.g., the occurrence of eastern wood-pewees and red-headed
woodpeckers in pine stands with a higher hardwood basal area than tolerated by RCWs).
Additionally, the near ubiquity of brown-headed nuthatches in stands with large pines and suitable
snags provides the manager a readily sampled species for evaluation of management effectiveness in
achieving minimum tree diameters, stand ages, and snag densities required of open pine species with
the most forgiving habitat requirements.
Northern bobwhite
The northern bobwhite was selected as an umbrella species for open pine habitats due to its
dependence on a well-developed herbaceous layer for nesting and brood cover, the requisite
interspersion of these habitats with suitable protective cover, the short temporal window in which
these habitat conditions coincide, and the bobwhite’s familiarity to the public and manager alike.
Northern bobwhite respond negatively to an herbaceous layer that is either too dense or too shrubby –
clear indications that fire return intervals are too long; frequent prescribed fire is the primary means of
developing the robust and diverse herbaceous layers preferred by bobwhites in open pine stands. The
occurrence of northern bobwhite provides a useful indicator of the relative quality of the herbaceous
component within open pine stands and a useful metric for managers to adaptively target their actions.
Additionally, the size of the landscape to which northern bobwhite directly respond is even larger than
that of the RCW. Thus, providing high quality habitat for this species in the context of open pine
management should ensure suitable habitat is provided for many other priority species of management
concern in these systems – particularly those dependent on an herbaceous ground layer in a forested
system (e.g., wintering Henslow’s sparrow, LeConte’s sparrow, sedge wren and breeding American
kestrel [paulus subspecies]). Although it shares many of these characteristics with the Bachman’s
sparrow, similar to the relationship of brown-headed nuthatches to RCWs, bobwhites will occur under
broader habitat conditions than Bachman’s sparrow and thus provide a useful metric for managers in
the absence of this latter species.
Bachman’s Sparrow
The Bachman’s sparrow was selected as an umbrella species because it is considered to be the
quintessential open pine habitat grassland bird species. Its presence is indicative of a well-developed
herbaceous layer that is only a product of frequent and consistent burns (≤3-year return interval).
Furthermore, its poor dispersal ability necessitates high connectivity among open pine patches – more
than required for nearly all other species. The co-occurrence of Bachman’s sparrow and red-cockaded
woodpecker is characteristic of exceptional open pine habitat. The presence of Bachman’s sparrow in
the absence of RCWs in pine stands is indicative of adequate fire but inadequate stand maturation.
The inverse (i.e., presence of RCWs and absence of Bachman’s sparrows) indicates adequate stand
maturity (and appropriately-sized pine trees) but burn intervals too lengthy to promote the requisite
herbaceous layer needed by Bachman’s sparrows. In all cases, the co-occurrence of brown-headed
nuthatches and northern bobwhites with these species should help managers evaluate the effectiveness
of their management recommendations.
Key habitat associations of potential umbrella species for open pine savanna in the West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachitas Bird
Conservation Region. Modified and Accepted by Working Group 9-9-09.
Habitat Factor
Red-cockaded
Woodpecker
Umbrella Species
Northern
Brown-headed
Bobwhite
Nuthatch
Bachman’s
Sparrow
Large patch size (ac)
X
Low pine basal area (ft2/ac)
X
X
Low hardwood basal area (ft2/ac)
X
X
X
Low canopy cover (%)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dense herbaceous ground cover (%)
Short distance(km) to nearest patch (connectivity)
X
High snag density (snags/ha)
High large (>14” dbh) pine density (pines/ac)
Habitat heterogeneity
X
X
X
X