I actually stopped working one day because of all the commotion I was hearing in a tree. A pileated woodpecker was very irate with a couple of red squirrels that took residence in one of it's abandoned nests.
I grabbed a cup of coffee and was rooting on the woodpecker. Red squirrels are nasty and there were two. I could not believe how badly that bird brutalized them. This went on for about 20 minutes and both ultimately jumped from the tree (high up) and scurried off.
I honestly think the bird was celebrating afterwards. Making the sounds that they do (think woody the woodpecker), running up and down the tree, and bobbing his head at me. Of course only then did I think to get my camera. Funny bird, I stepped back out and off he flew.
We have multiple mating pairs on our land and they seem to get along with each other and other birds. They just don't like red squirrels for some reason. Others have said they are shy, however we have a couple that show themselves regularly near our home.
