Jay, this sounds similar to what I've seen on a couple of occasions, 
including just a few days ago -- an adult male pileated together with an 
immature male (judging by plumage color and behavior). In both cases the 
birds were near each other on a tree trunk. "Dad" was industriously looking 
for food while "Sonny" was hanging around waiting to be fed (gosh, just like 
MY adolescent son!). So I definitely vote for theory 2, that this is a 
parent-child combo. However, are you sure the locking of beaks wasn't 
actually the transfer of food?

Janet Millenson
Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)

----------------------------------------------------------------
"Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot

----- 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