Hello Wayne and Tweeters,

Thanks for your comments on the status of Lewis's Woodpecker in
British Columbia, Wayne. East of the mountains, the situation is
closely similar to what has been observed in Washington.

Is the European Starling a major cause of the decline in numbers of
this species? The accusation has been made before, but what is
lacking is the evidence to back it up. You note that "no detailed
studies have been made in B.C. of Lewis's Woodpecker ecology or on
the effects of Starling competition for nest-sites." One might go
even farther: to my knowledge there have been no broad-based,
conclusive studies of the competitive interaction of European
Starlings and Lewis's Woodpeckers *anywhere* in their joint range.
What's more, the few partial studies and observations that do exist
all indicate that Lewis's Woodpecker dominates such encounters.

Several studies are cited by Bret W. Tobalske in his account of
Lewis's Woodpecker in *Birds of North America* (no. 284, 1997). For
example, a Colorado study showed that Lewis's lost only one of 59
nest cavities in cases where starlings attempted to drive them out.
Lewis's dominated 94% of all types of interactions (n=84, 319 hours
of observation) observed between the two species during this same
study.

Exisiting observations --admittedly few -- show that it is the
Lewis's that usurps the nests of other cavity dwellers, including
Hairy Woodpecker and Western Bluebird. (American Kestrels do
dominate the Lewis's, however.)

There are so many other factors in play that one should resist, I
think, rushing to the conclusion that starlings are the prime villain
here. For example, the aversion of Lewis's Woodpecker to human
encroachment seems well documented. A pair will abandon a perennial
nest site if a new building is constructed close by. The increase in
development that is going on in our interior valleys is likely
closely correlated to the declining numbers of Lewis's Woodpeckers
there. In contrast, human activity *attracts* European Starlings.
Development creates new opportunities for them in the form of
human-built structures where they readily nest (which, of course,
Lewis's do not). Lawns and fields are wonderful starling foraging
areas, whereas Lewis's Woodpeckers need open forest with big old
trees and intact understory -- a marginal place for a starling to
make a living.

So, is it the starlings that drive the Lewis's out, or is it people
who drive them out the back door while inviting starlings in the
front?

All of the above having been said, it would still not be surprising
to learn that starlings do have an adverse impact on Lewis's
Woodpeckers, perhaps even a primary one. It is certainly a
hypothesis that needs to be carefully investigated through field
work, as you note. Maybe somebody, somewhere has already undertaken
this.

Hal Opperman
Medina, Washington
mailto:halop at accessone.com