AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Retention Times of Miniature Radiotransmitters Glued to Wild Turkey Poults

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2002
Authors:Spears, BL, Ballard, WB, Wallace, MC, Phillips, RS, Holdstock, DH, Brunjes, JH, Applegate, R, Gipson, PS, Miller, MS, Barnett, T
Journal:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Volume:30
Issue:3
Date Published:2002
ISBN Number:00917648
Keywords:Meleagris, Meleagris gallopavo, Phasianidae
Abstract:Miniature radiotransmitters allow researchers to examine daily survival of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults during pre-flight periods, when turkey mortality is highest. We conducted a study of retention times of transmitters glued to Rio Grande wild turkey (M. g. intermedia) pre-flight poults at 4 sites in both southwest Kansas and the Texas panhandle. One hundred twenty-two poults from 39 broods were equipped with transmitters. Mean retention time on living poults was 20.4±8.3 days (n=34). Ninety-two percent of transmitters were retained by poults beyond flightless periods. We concluded that this technique was suitable for examining survival and habitat use by pre-flight wild turkey poults and suggest this technique be used in lieu of surgical implants and harness attachments.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3784240
Short Title:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith