The Solution
If we make Red-Head recovery a priority, we can be successful. In an oak-savanna restoration in Wisconsin, Red-Head populations increased five-fold after habitat was managed for Red-Heads.
Source: King, etal.
We can make a huge difference! The key is to provide the habitat that the Red-Head needs. Areas are needed with:
- Large trees
- A park-like low density of trees
- An open understory
- Good number of mast trees, producing nuts and acorns. Oaks, hickory, beech.
- Good availability of trees with dead limbs or dead trees. That is, "wildlife trees".
It becomes clear why this species was once considered "almost domestic". These requirements perfectly describe cities, open parklands and golf courses.