Red-cockaded woodpeckers’ recovery in southeast leads to status change from endangered to threatened

By Christina Larson
Associated Press
October 24, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

WASHINGTON — The red-cockaded woodpecker, an iconic bird in southeastern forests, has recovered enough of its population to be downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday. “The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker marks a significant milestone in our nation’s commitment to preserving biodiversity,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement. At one point in the 1970s, the red-cockaded woodpecker population had dipped as low as 1,470 clusters — or groups of nests, wildlife officials said. Today, there are an estimated 7,800 clusters. …“The species still has a long way to go for a full recovery,” said Ramona McGee, senior attorney and wildlife program leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Removing endangered species protections now could reverse past gains.”

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