Jay
 
I observed the identical "dance" in my yard a couple of months ago ... even  
got several pictures.  The two birds moved their display 3 times to 3  
different trees before flying off.  Each time they moved they began on the  ground 
and gradually moved up a bit until they were 2 or 3 feet off the  ground.  I had 
them in the yard for at least 30 minutes.
 
This display is nicely described in Bent's "Life Histories of North  American 
Woodpeckers" on page 175, but no clue as to its purpose is posited but  for 
the comment that it was well out of mating season.
 
I suspect it is all about territory as I think the Pileated, like  many 
birds, may reuse its previous nesting location for several year  and will maintain 
territory and pair-bonds all year.
 
I too would be interested if anyone can shed any more light on this.
 
Lou

 
Louis Nielsen  
Reisterstown, MD




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