ENHANCING BACHMAN SPARROW HABITAT VIA MANAGEMENT OF RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS

Bachman's sparrows (Aimophila aestivalis) and red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) use mature pine woodlands characterized by well-s paced pines, an open midstory, and a dense understory of grasses and f orbs. Populations of the Bachman's sparrow began declining in the 1930 s, with both a dramatic retraction in geographic distribution and the extinction of many local populations. Current land management practice s in the southeastern United States often focus on the habitat require ments of the red-cockaded woodpecker without considering other species with similar habitat requirements (i.e., Bachman's sparrow). We exami ned habitat requirements of the Bachman's sparrow on Eglin Air Force B ase, Florida, to determine if management practices directed at recover y of red-cockaded woodpeckers are providing Bachman's sparrows with su itable habitat. Comparisons between active red-cockaded woodpecker clu sters occupied (n = 8) and unoccupied (n = 13) by Bachman's sparrows s howed that Bachman's sparrows selected areas with a dense understory o f grasses and sparse midstory vegetation. Areas suitable for red-cocka ded woodpeckers were not always suitable for Bachman's sparrows. Red-c ockaded woodpeckers appear more tolerant of a hardwood midstory and do not require a dense cover of grasses and forbs. Prescribed burning is key for development and maintenance of the dense herbaceous understor y preferred by Bachman's sparrow. In areas managed for red-cockaded wo odpeckers, frequent (3-5 yr) burning early in the growing season appea rs the best way to increase habitat suitability for Bachman's sparrows .