Home range and habitat forest types of black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) in South Hakkoda

Abstract

A breeding pair of black woodpeckers (Dryocopos martius), a vulnerable species of Japan, was observed in South Hakkoda, northern Honshu, from 1991 to 1995. The home range of the pair was estimated to be 1, 924 ha, based on the outermost observation points. The range area consisted of artificial coniferous forests (295 ha, 15.4%), mature beech forests (Fagus crenata) (962 ha, 50.0%), broad-leaved deciduous forests without beech trees (545 ha, 28.4%) and open land (122 ha, 6.2%). Most of the observation points were concentrated in the mature beech forest area.