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Marking ruby‐throated hummingbirds with radio frequency identification tags
Author(s) -
Brewer Larry W.,
Redmond Christine A.,
Stafford Jennifer M.,
Hatch Gary E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.1002/jwmg.222
Subject(s) - hummingbird , radio frequency identification , telemetry , foraging , wildlife , geography , fishery , remote sensing , biology , ecology , telecommunications , computer science , computer security
Abstract We assessed the feasibility of marking ruby‐throated hummingbirds ( Archilochus colubris ) with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. We trapped 27 hummingbirds at feeding stations on a 2.0‐ha study site. We subcutaneously implanted each hummingbird with a 0.067‐g RFID tag and released it at the capture site. We deployed RFID transceiver systems at 5 feeding stations and electronically monitored tagged hummingbird activity continuously on the study site through 3 summers. Post‐release relocation rate exceeded expectations based on previous leg band recovery data, and bird activity data acquisition was consistent and reliable and required minimum labor. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.