I want Woodpeckers...with LASERS on their heads!

I like the idea of laser mounted on woodpeckers. And they kind of look like they SHOULD have one on there.

Unfortunately the connection between woodpeckers and lasers isn't quite as futuristic (although an army of highly trained elite woodpeckers fighting crime/the Taliban with only their high velocity beaks, and high power head-mounted lasers is one I would love to see come to fruition).

Researches at Idaho University have been using satellites to survey woodland to see if it is suitable for the Pileated Woodpecker (see above and theWikipedia page). Now this is hardly new technology, but a novel use looking for the habitat suitable for a single species.

Of course this technique can be used for a wide variety of other species, as surveying woodlands remotely from space is bloody easier than stomping around them by foot.

Clearly the ability to detect where a rare or endangered species is likely to be living, and therefore either protect the area or capture any individuals with it for captive breeding, would be a fantastic tool to minimise species loss. Especially if you are searching huge tracks of land for small patches of habitat.

Unfortunately the satellite is no longer in orbit, but will be replaced in the near future.