Jay, I have seen this behavior in the spring in Watkins Regional Park in 
Prince George's Co. I assumed the birds were male and female going through 
some kind of courtship behavior. I don't remember actually checking to see 
if it was a male and a female. I do remember being very sorry that I didn't 
have my camera to document it.

Cortez
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6:57 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Mysterious Pileated Woodpecker behavior


Diane called across the house this morning, "Jay bring your binoc!"  She 
directed my attention in the oak/hickory woods behind our house where we saw 
two male Pileateds circling one another on an oak tree.  They confined the 
circling to the bottom 5 feet or so of the tree, the "pursuer" seemingly 
smaller (and perhaps younger) than the "pursued".  Occasionally, the 
"pursuer" would strike out causing the "pursued" to partially extend its 
wings and parry the thrust.  Once or twice the two would interlock their 
bills for a few seconds, then the behavior would repeat itself.  There were 
no vocalizations during this drama.
We can't decide what may be causing this not-before-seen behavior in our 
yard.  The only two theories (one held by Diane, the other by me) are that 
this is territorial behavior with the "pursuer" was a younger male 
challenging the older for a piece of his action, or that it's a parent bird 
insisting that he is no longer responsible for care and feeding of the 
younger bird -- who is having trouble letting go.
Would anyone like to venture another theory or cast a vote as to theory 1 or 
2??
Thanks in advance,
Jay Jones
Derwood, MD