The Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is a monotypic species endemic to the south-eastern United States, similar in appearance to its more familiar congeners, the Downy (P. pubescens) and Hairy (P. villosus) Woodpeckers. It is isolated taxonomically from its relatives (Short 1982), and ecologically is even more distinct, exhibiting an unusual set of life-history features that includes cooperative breeding.

The ecology of an endangered cooperative breeder

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker was placed on the federal list of endangered species in 1968. It was once abundant in the Piedmont and coastal plain of the south-east, ranging north to New Jersey, west to Texas, and inland to Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri (Jackson 1971). Now it is virtually extirpated north of North Carolina, and in all interior states but Arkansas. Most remaining populations are isolated and small, and many continue to decline. Only four populations of 300 groups or more exist. The total population is still reasonably large, however, numbering perhaps as many as 10000 individuals.

The conservation of the species is a major controversial issue in the south-east (US Fish and Wildlife Service 1985; Jackson 1986; Ligon et al 1986), affecting land use practices over vast areas. In particular, there is conflict between protecting the bird and managing timber. This interest in conservation was the impetus for most studies that provide information on basic biology. The ecology of the species, almost unknown in 1970, is now well researched.