John,

Four years ago, a colleague and I saw quite similar behavior, which went on
for at least 10 minutes, between Downy Woodpecker males. Interestingly
enough, a Red-Breasted Sapsucker came into the area, and one of the Downy
Woodpeckers took off after it, chasing it from what I supposed was the
Downy's territory.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of
johntubbs at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 8:33 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Cc: willclemons at yahoo.com
Subject: [Tweeters] WOODPECKER TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR - Hairy Woodpecker
Images



Hi Bill and Everyone,



Bill Clemons and Jeff Kozma brought up woodpecker territorial interaction.
At the Elk Heights Burn in mid-May, I witnessed this behavior between two
HAIRY WOODPECKER males, who persisted in the behavior for a good ten
minutes. I had my camera with me and so was able to get a number of images,
although still photos of course don't really do much justice to the intense
and highly choreographed live behavior. But the following link at
http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=6321623
<http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=6321623&cat=38983
> &cat=38983 will give some idea of the posture Bill described in his first
post. In this case, the birds are two male Hairy Woodpeckers. There was no
doubt when watching this behavior that its intent was aggressive, though as
Jeff commented, no actual physical contact ensued. However, the birds did
this, "I'm badder tha! n YOU a re!!" "Oh, YEAH, no you're NOT!!" routine
quite aggressively and would go from tree to tree repeating it, although
they stayed in the same general area that the confrontation first occurred.




Regards,



John Tubbs

Snoqualmie, WA

johntubbs at comcast.net

www.tubbsphoto.com