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Mysterious Pileated Woodpecker behavior

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Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:57:35 GMT

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