USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Platte River Status: A rare and local permanent resident west to Lincoln County. Rosche (1979) recorded this species on 24 April 1977 and 15 October 1978 at Lake Ogallala, Keith County. Short (1961) found red-bellied woodpecker common as far west as Sutherland, Lincoln County in 1956-1957.

Breeding Range: Restricted almost exclusively to the Platte River Valley physiographic region. One pre-1950 nest record from the Eastern Plain. Short (1961) recorded red-bellied woodpecker commonly along the Platte River to Sutherland, Lincoln County in 1956 and 1957.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 90 breeding pairs. Because of the species distribution within the study area, we believe this population is underestimated.

Habitat: We recorded this species only in lowland forest where the mean nesting density was 0.7 pairs per km². Faanes (1981) reported that in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, red- bellied woodpecker is characteristic of large expanses of lowland deciduous forest characterized by silver maple, American elm, green ash, red oak, basswood, and cottonwood. Graber and Graber (1963) found 12.5 birds/km² from Illinois forests.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Red-bellied woodpecker has benefited from establishment of wooded vegetation within the river channel. We believe that expansion of this species across the central Platte River basin was only accomplished through the spread of wooded vegetation along the river.

Nesting Data: Lingle observed a pair copulating at the Shoemaker Island, Hall County (T. 9 N., R. 11 W.) on 10 March 1983. We found 2 active nests at that location on 3 June 1985. Jones (1938) found an active nest along the Little Blue River, Adams County, on 25 May 1938. Short (1961) observed a nest at Sutherland, Lincoln County in 1956. Swanson (1954) mentions, without details, that red-bellied woodpecker nests in southeastern Merrick County. T. E. Labedz observed a pair copulating near the Fort Kearny recreation area, Buffalo County, in March 1983.