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Two young Eastern Screech Owls (Megascops asio) peer out closely from a nesting cavity originally excavated by a Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) in a mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) in Croatan National Forest, North Carolina. Their wide eyes and soft, downy plumage contrast with the weathered bark of the ancient pine tree. This secondary cavity use highlights the ecological chain reaction created by keystone species like the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, whose excavations provide critical shelter for a wide range of wildlife. As longleaf pine forests continue to shrink due to logging, development, and fire suppression, preserving mature stands is essential for the survival of species that rely on this interconnected ecosystem.