SPECIES: Scientific [common] Picoides dorsalis [American three-toed wood- pecker] Forest: Salmon–Challis National Forest Forest Reviewer: Mary Friberg Date of Review: 2/23/2018 Forest concurrence (or recommendation No if new) for inclusion of species on list of potential SCC: (Enter Yes or No)

FOREST REVIEW RESULTS:

1. The Forest concurs or recommends the species for inclusion on the list of potential SCC: Yes___ No_X__

2. Rationale for not concurring is based on (check all that apply): Species is not native to the plan area ______Species is not known to occur in the plan area ______Species persistence in the plan area is not of substantial concern ____X___

FOREST REVIEW INFORMATION:

1. Is the Species Native to the Plan Area? Yes_x__ No___

If no, provide explanation and stop assessment.

2. Is the Species Known to Occur within the Planning Area? Yes__x_ No___

If no, stop assessment.

Table 1. All Known Occurrences, Years, and Frequency within the Planning Area

Year Observed Number of Location of Observations (USFS Source of Information Individuals District, Town, River, Road Inter- section, HUC etc.) Idaho Fish and Wildlife Infor- 2012 1 North Fork Ranger District mation System (January 2017) Idaho Fish and Wildlife Infor- 2012 2 Lost River Ranger District mation System (January 2017)

Idaho Fish and Wildlife Infor- 1995-2010 5 Middle Fork Ranger District mation System (January 2017) Idaho Fish and Wildlife Infor- 1995 4 Challis Yankee Ranger District mation System (January 2017) 1997-2003 3 Leadore Ranger District USFS NRIS Wildlife (April 2017) 1993-1999 3 Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District USFS NRIS Wildlife (April 2017)

a. Are all Species Occurrences Only Accidental or Transient?

Yes___ No_x__

If yes, document source for determination and stop assessment.

b. For species with known occurrences on the Forest since 1990, based on the number of observa- tions and/or year of last observation, can the species be presumed to be established or becom- ing established in the plan area?

Yes_x__ No___

If no, provide explanation and stop assessment

c. For species with known occurrences on the Forest predating 1990, does the weight of evidence suggest the species still occurs in the plan area?

Yes___ No___

Provide explanation for determination: N/A. Occurrences have been recorded since 1990.

If determination is no, stop assessment

d. Map 1. American Three-toad Woodpecker Observations in Idaho (IDFG 2017)

Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) 2017. American three-toed woodpecker Picoides dorsalis. Internet website: https://idfg.idaho.gov/species/taxa/20015. Accessed on August 14, 2017.

e. Map 2, American Three-Toed Woodpecker Range in Montana (MNHP and MFWP 2017).

Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MNHP and MFWP). 2017. Montana Field Guide. American Three-toed Woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis. Internet web- site: http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABNYF07110. Accessed on August 14, 2017.

f. Map 3, American Three-Toed Woodpecker Observations on Salmon-Challis (Idaho Fish and Wild- life Information System [January 2017], USFS Natural Resources Information System Wildlife [April 2017]).

August 14, 2017

3. Is There Substantial Concern for the Species’ Capability to persist Over the Long-term in the Plan Area Based on Best Available Scientific Information?

Table 2. Status summary based on existing conservation assessments

Entity Status/Rank (include definition if Other)

NatureServe G5 - Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure. Global Rank NatureServe S4 - Not rare and apparently secure, but with cause for long-term concern (usually more than 100 occurrences) State Rank

Idaho State IDAPA – protected non-game List Status Not an SGCN

USDA Forest Region 4 sensitive Service

USDI FWS Not listed as an endangered or threatened species in Idaho

Other IUCN Red List Category: LC - Least concern Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Protection Status (CITES): Appendix II Partners in Flight Watch List - Not listed (PIF 2016)

Table 3. Status summary based on best available scientific information.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 1 B2 Recent occurrences of Picoides dorsalis have been documented on all Idaho Birds. 2017. American three- Distribution on ranger districts of the SCNF (Table 1; Map 3). The species breeds on the toed woodpecker. Internet web- Salmon–Challis Forest from March–November and visits or overwinters from December– site: https://idahobirds.net/distri- National For- February (Idaho Birds 2017). The predicted distribution map provided by bution/maps/woodpeckers/ameri- est IDFG (2005) indicates that P. dorsalis is broadly distributed throughout can-three-toed-woodpecker/. Ac- the Forest with some gaps, which is supported by occurrence data (Rank cessed on August 14, 2017. B2). IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and Game) 2005. American three- toed woodpecker. Internet web- site: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- cessed on August 14, 2017. 2 C Picoides dorsalis occurs as far north as Alaska and extends south through IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish Distribution in Canada and the lower western US, including the Cascade and Blue Moun- and Game) 2005. American three- surrounding tains of Washington, the Cascade, Blue, and Wallowa Mountains of Ore- toed woodpecker. Internet web- geographic gon, northern and central Idaho, the Rocky Mountains of western Mon- site: area tana, Wyoming, and Colorado, and parts of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi New Mexico (Leonard 2001; IDFG 2005; NatureServe 2017). Population s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- densities generally are low (Wiggins 2004). Thus, Picoides dorsalis has a toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- wide distribution outside SCNF, but occurs at low densities (Rank C). cessed on August 14, 2017. Leonard, D. L., Jr. 2001. Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus). In: A. Poole and F. Gill (editors). The Birds of North America, No. 588

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. In- ternet website: http://explorer.na- tureserve.org. Accessed on August 14, 2017. Wiggins, D. A. 2004. American three-toed woodpecker: A tech- nical conservation assessment. Pre- pared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project. 3 C The species is highly irruptive (i.e., participates in large, irregular migra- IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish Dispersal Ca- tion events) and colonizes disturbed (burned or diseased) forests across and Game) 2005. American three- pability the landscape coinciding with high concentrations of wood-boring insects toed woodpecker. Internet web- (Wisdom et al. 2000, IDFG 2005). Dispersal may be limited to some ex- site: tent by fire suppression and fragmentation, which eliminate potential https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi corridor habitats (Wiggins 2004), but given the species’ high mobility, s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- populations likely are able to readily disperse across landscapes (Rank C). toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- cessed on August 14, 2017. Wiggins, D. A. 2004. American

three-toed woodpecker: A tech- nical conservation assessment. Pre- pared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Conservation Project. Wisdom, M. J. et al. 2000. Source habitats for terrestrial vertebrates

of focus in the Interior Columbia Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Basin: Broad-scale trends and man- agement implications. FS General Technical Report. 4 B The species typically occurs in low numbers (NatureServe 2017), making MNHP and MFWP (Montana Natu- Abundance on estimates of abundance difficult, and there is not enough data to deter- ral Heritage Program and Montana the Salmon– mine actual abundance on SCNF. Recent documented occurrences on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks). 2017. Challis Na- Forest are scarce (Table 1). Based on occurrences on SCNF and relative American Three-toed Woodpecker tional Forest abundance on nearby habitat in Montana (MNHP and MFWP 2017), rela- — Picoides dorsalis. Internet web- tive abundance is uncommon (Rank B), but confidence is medium due to site: http://fieldguide.mt.gov/spe- lack of data specific to the Forest. ciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AB- NYF07110. Accessed on August 14, 2017. NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe

Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. In- ternet website: http://explorer.na- tureserve.org. Accessed on August 14, 2017. Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low

5 D In general, population trends are difficult to estimate due to irregular mi- IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish Population gration events and colonization of disturbed areas (IDFG 2005). Global and Game) 2005. American three- Trend on the population trends are unknown, but most likely declining (NatureServe toed woodpecker. Internet web- Salmon–Challis site:

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations National For- 2017). Across the west, occurrences have shown an average annual de- https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi est creasing trend of 0.7% from 1966–1995 (Wisdom 2000). American Breed- s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- ing Bird Survey results (Sauer et al. 2017) indicate a slight increasing toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- trend (4.33%) from 2005–2015 in the northern Rocky Mountains, with a cessed on August 14, 2017. relative abundance of 0.06; however, these estimates are based on a low IMBCR (Integrated Monitoring in sample number and have low credibility. Christmas Bird Count data from Bird Conservation Regions). Inter- the past decade are too scarce to draw meaningful conclusions (NAS net website: 2017). No Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions data exist http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/Ex- for this species (IMBCR 2017). ploretheData.aspx. Accessed on August 14, 2017. Given the lack of data specific to the Forest, there is insufficient infor- mation to assess population trends on the Forest (Rank D). National Audubon Society (NAS). 2017. The Christmas Bird Count Historical Results. Available: http://www.christmasbird- count.org. Accessed on August 14, Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 2017. NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. In- ternet website: http://explorer.na- tureserve.org. Accessed on August 14, 2017. Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski, Jr, K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Link. 2017. The North American Breeding Bird Sur- vey, Results and Analysis 1966 - 2015. Version 2.07.2017 USGS

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. Wisdom, M. J. et al. 2000. Source habitats for terrestrial vertebrates of focus in the Interior Columbia Basin: Broad-scale trends and man- agement implications. FS General Technical Report. 6 B Source habitats include late-seral subalpine and montane forests, partic- USFS (United States Department of Habitat Trend ularly Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and subalpine fir Agriculture Forest Service). 2017. on the (Wiggins 2004). Specific habitats include mature and over-mature stands Salmon Challis National Forest Data Salmon–Challis or burned areas containing high concentrations of wood-boring insects. Assessment, Terrestrial Ecosystems National For- Small snags (8.7–19.6 in.) are used for both foraging and nesting, and Section (Draft). est thus large-burn and beetle-infested unlogged stands are preferred as Wiggins, D. A. 2004. American breeding sites. However, these areas are only used for up to five years three-toed woodpecker: A tech- because beetles do not inhabit snags after they have dried out (Wisdom nical conservation assessment. Pre- 2000). pared for USDA Forest Service,

Rocky Mountain Region, Species Coniferous forest is the main landcover type on the SCNF (USFS 2017). Conservation Project. Forest Service data indicate that 7%–10% is old-growth (USFS 2017), but confidence is fairly low at 67%. Fire suppression has caused the vegeta- Wisdom, M. J. et al. 2000. Source tion in 24% of Douglas fir, 9% of ponderosa pine, and 13% of mixed Doug- habitats for terrestrial vertebrates las fir/ponderosa pine forest to be moderately departed from historical of focus in the Interior Columbia conditions (USFS 2017). The buildup of fuels has resulted in several se- Basin: Broad-scale trends and man- vere and large (hundreds of thousands of acres each) fires across the agement implications. FS General SCNF in the last 20 years. Although these burned with mixed intensity, Technical Report. large acreages of forest were killed including those at mid to high eleva- tion. It is likely that this species benefited from post-fire conditions over the short term due to increased abundance of wood-boring insects, but habitat would be reduced over the long term as trees dry out and beetle

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations abundance decreases. However, increased frequency of fires on the For- est may ensure continuous availability of burned areas (USFS 2017). In- sect outbreaks and tree diseases recorded on the Salmon Challis from 1997 to 2014 are high, indicating high availability of disturbed areas for foraging and breeding (USFS 2017).

Logging has also reduced old-growth forest on the SCNF (USFS 2017) with roughly 143,000 acres having been commercially harvested over the last 90 years (Bill Baer pers commun.). Intensive selective cutting of the larg- est ponderosa pine prior to the 1990s may have degraded habitat by re- moving dead and decaying trees for both nesting and foraging.

Given the availability of coniferous forests, snags, and disturbed areas on the Forest, stable amounts of suitable habitat for P. dorsalis likely exist on SCNF.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 7 C Logging of old-growth forests and fire suppression are the main threats IAP (Intermountain Adaption Part- Vulnerability to source habitat, as the species relies on dead and diseased trees for nership). 2016. Intermountain of Habitats on both nesting and foraging (Wiggins 2004; IDFG 2005). However, timber Adaption Partnership: Climate Vul- the Salmon– harvest on SCNF has decreased over the past several decades and projec- nerability Assessment Summaries. Challis Na- tions are to harvest less than 1 percent of the Forest over the next 15 IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish tional Forest years (USFS 2017). Fire suppression will continue to have mixed effects and Game) 2005. American three- on habitat for this by increasing fire severity and frequency, and thus for- toed woodpecker. Internet web- aging and nesting habitat but potentially decreasing old-growth forest. site: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi The broad-scale effects of climate change on P. dorsalis include reduced s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- forest area, drier forests, and altered timing of beetle development. toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- Shifts in the distribution of beetle species as well as mismatches between cessed on August 14, 2017. woodpecker breeding and beetle outbreaks could have a negative impact USFS (United States Department of

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations on populations. However, indirect effects of climate change on tree vigor Agriculture Forest Service). 2017. and mortality caused by increased heat and drought are predicted to in- Salmon Challis National Forest Data crease the expanse and severity bark beetle infestations, providing an Assessment, Terrestrial Ecosystems important food source. Fire frequency and size is also expected to in- Section (Draft). crease, but disturbance events can accelerate transitions to new vegeta- Wiggins, D. A. 2004. American tion types that may no longer be suitable for the species (IAP 2016). As three-toed woodpecker: A tech- individuals are highly mobile, they are likely able to take advantage of nical conservation assessment. Pre- bark beetle outbreaks and may benefit from increased forest die-offs and pared for USDA Forest Service, disturbance. Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project. In summary, the main risks to habitat for P. dorsalis include logging, fire suppression, and climate change. Because forest disturbances will likely continue to occur across the Forest and the species can readily migrate to newly disturbed areas, P. dorsalis habitats and populations are likely resilient to the impacts of modern stressors.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 8 B The American three-toed woodpecker (P. dorsalis) is considered a sepa- IAP (Intermountain Adaption Part- Life History rate species from the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker (P. tridactylus), nership). 2016. Intermountain and De- and the former is separated into three subspecies: P. d. dorsalis, P. d. fas- Adaption Partnership: Climate Vul- mographics ciatus, and P. d. bacatus. P. d. fasciatus is most likely the prevalent spe- nerability Assessment Summaries. cies in Idaho but may be integrated with P. d. dorsalis in northern Mon- IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish tana (IDFG 2005). and Game) 2005. American three- toed woodpecker. Internet web- The birds nest in May–June, and the average clutch size in Idaho is 3.6 site: eggs (Wiggins 2004). Both male and females incubate their eggs for 12– https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwi 14 days and tend the young. Young woodpeckers fledge at 22–26 days s/cwcs/pdf/American%20Three- and remain with their parents for at least one month after (NatureServe toed%20Woodpecker.pdf. Ac- 2017). Reproductive success depends on food and habitat availability cessed on August 14, 2017. (Wiggins 2004). There is little information on hatching success or survival, NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations but 13% and 53% fledging success rates were reported in British Colum- Explorer: An online encyclopedia of bia and Oregon, respectively (Wiggins 2004). Logging and consequent de- life [web application]. Version 7.1. creased food supply were likely the main causes of poor survival, but this NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. In- does not appear to be an issue on SCNF. Likely predators include North- ternet website: http://explorer.na- ern goshawks and small mammals. tureserve.org. Accessed on August 14, 2017. The main food source for three-toed woodpeckers is wood-boring in- Wiggins, D. A. 2004. American sects, though they also eat other insects and fruit. Limited food availabil- three-toed woodpecker: A tech- ity may lead to irruptions into areas outside of normal ranges, though mi- nical conservation assessment. Pre- gration is not typical (NatureServe 2017). Populations on the Forest are pared for USDA Forest Service, likely low, which may limit their ability to rebound from disturbance. Rocky Mountain Region, Species However, their capacity for irruptive migration and dispersal is beneficial Conservation Project. to survival. Local increases in populations may occur 3–5 years after a forest fire, which suggests potential for rapid population increases under favorable conditions.

The above information (low abundance but potential high population growth and high dispersal) suggests that the species has a moderate abil- ity to recover from disturbance, but confidence is medium due to lack of information on survival rates.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Picoides dorsalis [Three-toed woodpecker]

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Summary and recommendations: There is limited concern for the conservation of P. dorsalis based on rangewide Date: 8/14/17 and state rankings. Abundance is likely low both on and outside of SCNF, but widespread distributions and high dis- persal capacity suggest that populations can readily change locations in response to disturbance. Though data on the abundance and population trends of P. dorsalis within SCNF are scare, evidence suggests stable habitat trends on the Forest. Though habitat is somewhat vulnerable to logging, fire suppression, and climate change effects, pop- ulations are likely resilient to these stressors, and may even benefit from increased beetle outbreaks due to climate change effects and increased fire severity and frequency. Therefore, there does not appear to be a concern for the long-term persistence of the species in the plan area, and P. dorsalis is not recommended as a SCC.

Evaluator(s): L. Chipman