Effects of radio-transmitter methods on pileated woodpeckers: an improved technique for large woodpeckers

Authors: NOEL, BRANDON - Bethune-Cookman University; BEDNARZ, JAMES - Arkansas State University; Ruder, Mark; KEEL, M - University Of California Agriculture And Natural Resources (UCANR)

Submitted to: Southeastern Naturalist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2012
Publication Date: 6/30/2013
Publication URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1656/058.012.0213
Citation: Noel, B.L., Bednarz, J.C., Ruder, M.G., Keel, M.K. 2013. Effects of radio-transmitter methods on pileated woodpeckers: an improved technique for large woodpeckers. Southeastern Naturalist. 12(2):399-412.

Interpretive Summary: As part of a study to better understand the ecology of pileated woodpeckers in Arkansas bottomlands, 64 birds were captured and radio-marked over a three-year period. Capture-related mortality was higher than an acceptable level during the first trapping season, so adjustments to the capture methods were made. Radio-transmitter attachment techniques were transitioned from a figure-eight harness to a tail-mounted unit, and handling times were reduced to minimize stress. For the duration of the study, all radio-marked birds captured over the next two field seasons survived. The findings of the study suggest that pileated woodpeckers, and perhaps other large woodpeckers, have an increased risk of capture-associated death when tagged with figure-eight harnesses and are handled for longer periods and more obtrusively. This report makes important recommendations on capture and handling methodology that researchers, biologists, and ornithologists can use to minimize adverse impacts on birds during future research.

Technical Abstract: We captured and radio-marked 64 Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker)in bottomland hardwood forests from February 2007 to June 2010. At least 12 (35.3%) of the first 34 birds radio-tagged died within 43 d of capture (x¯ = 8.2 d). Thus, we adjusted our radio-attachment techniques adaptively from a figure-eight harness to a tail-mount, and reduced handling times to minimize stress on woodpeckers. In 2009 and 2010, after the change in attachment type and modified handling protocol including a reduction of handling time (from ca. 1 h to 30 min), all 30 radio-marked birds (100%) survived the entire field season (=3 mo). These data suggested that Pileated Woodpeckers, and perhaps other large woodpeckers, have an increased risk of death when tagged with figure eight harnesses, handled for longer periods and more obtrusively, and captured on days with relatively cold temperatures. We submit that future telemetry on this species or other large woodpeckers should not employ the figure-eight harnesses and should strive to minimize handling time and disturbance. We recommend that other ornithologists observing higher than expected mortalities possibly related to handling birds or transmitter attachment publish this information to minimize the adverse impacts on birds during future research.