are pileated woodpeckers ecosystem engineers?
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Habitat modifiers like the pileated woodpecker are also called “eco- system engineers,” because their activities substantially alter the physical structure of the environment, influencing both available habitat for other species and various ecosys- tem processes.
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According to Audubon California, birds are one of the best indicators of environmental health – healthy native bird populations signal a healthy ecology. More than 600 bird species call California home. Invite a variety of bird species to your yard by providing a source of food and water.
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Oxpeckers. Oxpeckers are birds that land on elephants, where they eat lice, ticks, and other parasites living on elephants' skin and hair. ... Oxpeckers also help elephants by emitting a loud scream when they spot predators. Elephants are alerted to possible danger and then can guard their vulnerable young more closely.
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['Food and other biomass production.', 'Environmental Interaction.', 'Biological habitat and gene pool.', 'Source of raw materials.', 'Physical and cultural heritage.', 'Platform for man-made structures.']
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['high animal and vegetal biodiversity.', 'evergreen trees.', 'dark and sparse undergrowth interspersed with clearings.', 'scanty litter (organic matter settling on the ground)', 'presence of "strangler" creepers (e.g. Ficus spp.)']
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Dominant species is the most abundant species by biomass. A keystone species is one who exercises an indirect regulating effect on other species distribution within the community.
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Nuthatches. Nuthatches are somewhat woodpecker-like, but more agile, perching up on their feet with bodies and tails held well clear. They can descend head-first and hang upside down beneath twigs and branches. There is one UK species of nuthatch, with a second in Europe and a few elsewhere.
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Great spotted woodpeckers are strongly territorial, typically occupying areas of about 5 ha (12 acres) year-round, which are defended mainly by the male, a behaviour which attracts females. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding period, but often change partners before the next season.
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They feed on ectoparasites, particularly ticks, as well as insects infesting wounds and the flesh and blood of some wounds as well. They are sometimes classified as parasites, because they open wounds on the animals' backs. Oxpecker/mammal interactions are the subject of some debate and ongoing research.
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Healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity: Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to play. Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. Protect freshwater resources.
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Woodpeckers are very beneficial to our environment. They eat thousands of wood boring insects and other garden pests. You can usually observe most woodpeckers spiraling around a tree trunk in search of food.
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Suet is particularly attractive to woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, and starlings. Wrens, creepers, kinglets, and even cardinals and some warblers occasionally visit suet feeders. Animal fat is easily digested and metabolized by many birds; it's a high-energy food, especially valuable in cold weather.
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Plastic owls and hawks Woodpeckers are afraid of owls and hawks. Placing a plastic owl or hawk on the roof of your house will scare away woodpeckers. However, this usually only works temporarily [source: Cornell].
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The Wood Pigeon is resident and mostly sedentary though in the autumn and winter they fly twice-daily between roosts and feeding areas. Scandinavian Wood Pigeons are migratory and many pass through Britain on their autumnal migration to France and Spain, some inevitably stay for the winter in Britain.
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Forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and they are also essential for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity contributes to forest ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services.
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Green woodpeckers spend most of their time feeding on the ground. ... Like other woodpeckers, these birds breed in holes they peck in dead wood. They can be seen in England, Wales and Scotland, though they're absent from the far north and west and Ireland. Green woodpeckers can be seen all year round.
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Nuts. Peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds and other nuts are natural, nutritious, energy foods for many birds, especially woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, and nuthatches. Nuts are more expensive than sunflower seeds.