THE USE OF RADIO TRANSMITTERS TO MONITOR SURVIVAL OF SANDHILL CRANE CHICKS

Authors

MARILYN G. SPALDING, University of FloridaFollow
STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFollow
STEPHEN T. SCHWIKERT, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ROBERT J. DUSEK, University of Florida

Date of this Version

2001

Document Type

Article

Citation

Spalding, Marilyn G., Nesbitt, Stephen A., Schwikert, Stephen T., and Dusek, Robert J. The use of radio transmitters to monitor survival of sandhill crane chicks. In: Ellis, David H., ed., Proceedings of the Eighth North American Crane Workshop, 11–14 January 2000, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Seattle, Wash: North American Crane Working Group, 2001), pp. 213-215.

Comments

Reproduced by permission of the North American Crane Working Group (NACWG).

Abstract

To determine cause of death of Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks, in 1996-99 we glued shorttenn transmitters on newly hatched chicks. At about 10 days of age, these were replaced with surgically implanted subcutaneous transmitters in the field. Chicks were then recaptured at 55 to 65 days of age for more pennanent transmitters. This combination of transmitter configurations allowed us to track individuals through their rapid-growth period.