Abstract
Foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers Sapheopipo noguchii were recorded from March to November 2002 to monitor their distribution. The foraging marks found up to a height of two meters above the ground were counted four times during the eight-month study period in four quadrats of 15 to 55-year-old stands and twelve mounth in ten circle plots of two mature (> 40 yo) stands of ever-green forests. The marks primarily remained on dead trees. The number of foraging marks was highest in a 40-year-old stand and the number decreased by half in a 20- and a 55-yearold stands. On the other hand, we discovered few foraging marks in a 15-year-old stand. More new foraging marks were recorded during March-May and September-November than during May- September. Seasonal change in the number of foraging marks was much smaller in a 55-year-old stand than the others. There were few foraging marks at a lower part of living trees and on smaller branches. We found foraging marks even in dense vegetation. It is assumed that the foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers were mostly distinguished from those of sympatric Pygmy Woodpeckers, Dendrocopos kizuki . The foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers would be a good indicator of their seasonal range.
