RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER CAVITY TREE-RESIN AVOIDANCE BY SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRRELS

While examining Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) cavity con tents in eastern Texas, we observed cavity tree resin avoidance by sou thern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans). The tree surface around an active Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity is coated with sticky resin whic h flows from resin wells created by the woodpecker. The southern flyin g squirrel is a competitor for Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities and is known to be quite capable of entering active cavities in trees with a well developed resin coating. However, our observation indicates that in some circumstances the resin coating can offer some deterrence.