Pileated woodpecker knocking for a mate

by Strom Johnston
(Columbia SC)

Several months ago we were visited by a family of pileated woodpeckers. Momma Daddy and three kids. It was quite a sight to see the antics of the young under the watchful eyes of the parents. We are visited regularly by these birds so it is hard to tell if a member of this family has returned or not. At any rate a pileated woodpecker is now knocking on the broken limb of a huge poplar tree. This has been constant for about a week. Directly below his perch is a nicely formed hole. Is he knocking for a mate? We'll see soon.