New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines

Author:

Rappole, John H., Tipton, Alan R.

Title:

New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines

Periodical:

Journal of Field Ornithology

Year:

1991

Volume:

62

Pages:

335-337

Subject:

Birds monitoring Birds radio tracking

Summary:

Since the proper attachment of radio transmitters determines the success of telemetry studies in small passerines, this document describes the advantages and disadvantages to using a variety of methods by which to study these birds. For example, using a neck or wing loop affected the behavior of the birds as the birds were aware of the device and the packages seemed to affect flight. Complete immobilization in 10 - 15% of the birds that were equipped with these types of harnesses was caused as the birds were able to work a wing, leg, or bill through a loop of the harness. While gluing techniques were better, this method of attaching a transmitter to a bird was found to be time consuming. However, it was found that a figure-8 type harness, that slides on over the legs and allows for the transmitter to rest over the synsacrum of a bird, provided for a rapid attachment technique while it minimized problems of balance and physical discomfort. This method was devised by Raim in 1978 and was found to be the best attachment method for telemetry studies in small passerines.

Label:

Birds - General

URL:

https://sora.unm.edu/node/51662

Date:

1991

Collection:

Periodicals