The Pileated are very active right now in my woods, there are at least 3
juveniles and one adult. Yesterday morning I was doing some tree survey work
and tagging trees with aluminum tags. I left a bunch of tags on the trail
and was measuring some trees nearby when I saw a pileated fly down to the
ground. I stood up on a fallen log to get a better look and to my surprise
the bird was messing with my tags, poking at them with its bill and moving
them around. The bird planted one of its feet on a tag and gave it several
good whacks with its bill.
I have never heard of woodpeckers being attracted to shiny things before.

Rob Sandelin
South Snohomish County at the headwaters of Ricci Creek
Sky Valley Environments <http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm>
Field skills training for student naturalists
Floriferous at msn.com