Evaluation of Radio Transmitters for Measuring Chick Mortality in the Banded Dotterel

Keedwell, Rachel J.

doi:10.2307/1522033

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In contrast to our results, other authors have not found an effect of radio tagging on chick behavior, body mass, or survival (Houston and Greenwood 1993, Kenward et al 1993, Neudorf and Pitcher 1997, Davis et al 1999, Whittingham et al 1999, Keedwell 2001, Terhune et al 2007). This discrepancy may be due, in large part, to previous investigators making within‐brood comparisons between tagged and nontagged chicks.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

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Effects of color banding, radio tagging, and repeated handling on the condition and survival of Lapwing chicks and consequences for estimates of breeding productivity

Sharpe

Bolton

Sheldon

et al. 2009

Journal of Field Ornithology

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Color bands and radio tags are widely used to facilitate individual recognition and relocation of precocial chicks in studies of prefledging survival. However, the accuracy of data collected and subsequent estimates of survival rates rely on the assumption that such techniques do not affect the parameters under study. We compared the body condition and survival of color‐banded and radio‐tagged Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) chicks with noncolor‐banded and nonradio‐tagged individuals using a 10‐year dataset (N= 3174 chicks, with 205 color banded and 700 radio tagged). Color bands did not adversely affect chicks. However, radio‐tagged chicks and their untagged broodmates were handled more frequently because these broods were more readily encountered than those without a tagged member. Chicks disturbed and handled more frequently had lower body condition indices and higher mortality rates. Simulations of the impact of tagging and handling on breeding productivity under two scenarios indicated a 26% reduction in productivity in situations where nest and chick survival rates were low (as in our study), but only a 7% reduction in productivity for a simulated population with the higher levels of nest and chick survival associated with a stable population. The frequent disturbance associated with radio‐tracking and recapturing chicks, rather than the attachment of a tag or physical handling of chicks, may affect body condition. Frequent handling and disturbance may affect body condition by reducing foraging time, increasing stress levels, or increasing predation risk. Because our results suggested that the negative impact of handling could last up to a week, we recommend that investigators avoid disturbance of shorebird chicks more frequently than every 8 d.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Field Ornithol. Whittingham et al 1999, Keedwell 2001, Terhune et al 2007). This discrepancy may be due, in large part, to previous investigators making within-brood comparisons between tagged and nontagged chicks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of color banding, radio tagging, and repeated handling on the condition and survival of Lapwing chicks and consequences for estimates of breeding productivity

Sharpe

Bolton

Sheldon

et al. 2009

Journal of Field Ornithology

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“…We decreased attachment time by 1) preparing the leg harnesses with the transmitter in advance, and 2) using ligature material of 100% polyurethane clear elastic that stretches (manufacture suggests up to 5 times its original size), thus expediting attachment. Additionally, because the polyurethane elastic material we used is flat, we were able to decrease its width, thus minimizing the abrasions in the inguinal folds noted with round elastic yarn or thread (e.g., Sykes et al 1990, Keedwell 2001, Mattsson et al 2006). By placing a small piece of felt over the rough surface on the back of the transmitter, we eliminated the abrasions on the synsacrum of chukars as compared to those noted on the bobwhites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing radiotransmitter attachment techniques on northern bobwhite and chukar chicks

Dreitz

Baeten

Davis

et al. 2011

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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We compared 4 external radiotransmitter attachment techniques to determine the optimum attachment method on chicks of 2 galliform species. The attachment methods included tissue glue, silicone gel, suturing, and leg harness. The study was conducted in captivity with a 2-phase assessment: first with northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and then chukar (Alectoris chukar) chicks. We applied each technique and assessed effects on growth rates, retention times, ease of attaching the transmitter, and effects on physical development. No apparent adverse impacts on chicks were observed for any of the attachment techniques. We found the leg-harness technique was most reliable in terms of retention time, required the least amount of handling time, and was the simplest to administer. Modifications to our suture technique likely would result in similar retention times, but would still require additional handling time and complexity in attaching transmitters. ß 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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“…Earlier studies showed that the radiotag had no adverse effects on chick condition or survival (e.g. Keedwell 2001, Terhune et al. 2007, Sharpe et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Earlier studies showed that the radiotag had no adverse effects on chick condition or survival (e.g. Keedwell 2001, Terhune et al 2007, Sharpe et al 2009). However, Sharpe et al (2009) showed that frequent disturbance and repeated handling affect chick body condition and survival probability.…”

Section: Radiotaggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exclusion of ground predators improves Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus chick survival

Rickenbach

Grüebler

Schaub

et al. 2011

Ibis

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Many farmland‐breeding wader species have declined across Europe, probably due to reductions in reproductive output caused by high nest losses as a result of agriculture or predation, or low chick survival between hatching and fledging. Most studies have focused on nest failures, and the factors affecting post‐hatching survival of chicks are poorly known. In an experimental approach, we fenced parts of the arable foraging areas of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus families to quantify chick survival simultaneously in the presence and absence of ground predators. Lapwing chicks were radiotagged to estimate survival probabilities by daily locations, applying multistate capture–recapture models. During the night, chick survival was considerably lower outside fenced plots than within. During the day, chick survival was higher than at night and did not differ between protected and unprotected plots. This suggests that nocturnal ground predators such as Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes were responsible for a significant proportion of chick mortality. Cumulative survival probability from hatching to fledging was 0.24 in chicks within fenced plots, but virtually zero in chicks outside fenced plots. In farmland, temporary electric fences can be effective in minimizing the impact of ground predators and offer a promising short‐term method to increase fledging success of precocial birds.

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Evaluation of Radio Transmitters for Measuring Chick Mortality in the Banded Dotterel

Cited by 9 publications

References 17 publications

Effects of color banding, radio tagging, and repeated handling on the condition and survival of Lapwing chicks and consequences for estimates of breeding productivity

Effects of color banding, radio tagging, and repeated handling on the condition and survival of Lapwing chicks and consequences for estimates of breeding productivity

Testing radiotransmitter attachment techniques on northern bobwhite and chukar chicks

Exclusion of ground predators improves Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus chick survival

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