The woodpeckers require 80-125 acres around the nesting area to forge for food. A cavity can take up to one year to complete. If a snag is already present, the work may be cut down to just a few weeks. Each bird has its own nesting cavity. More than one cavity may be in a tree.
Several generations occupy the cavity until new ones are needed.
The average cluster is ten acres. Humans are the greatest enemies. They destroy the woodpeckers' habitat as well as feeding resources mostly through commercial pine harvesting. Rat Snakes and Flying Squirrels. They eat the eggs.