Passive Integrated Transponders and Patagial Tag Markers for Northern Bobwhite Chicks

Abstract

Brood survival is among the least understood aspects of the population ecology of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Individual-based brood survival estimators require uniquely marked chicks; however, no method has been developed to mark them. We evaluated efficacy of using patagial wing bands and passive integrated transponders (PITs) to mark 1-day-old captive northern bobwhite chicks. We compared survival, weekly mass gain, and mark retention among groups of chicks marked with patagial wing bands PITs. and plastic and aluminum leg bands (control; n = 50/treatment We detected no differences among marking methods in growth (P = 0.558) or survival to 12 weeks posthatch (P > 0.050) Of those birds that survived to 12 weeks posthatch 2 birds (approx 5%) from eacl of the PIT and patagial band groups lost their marks. Tag destruction during simulated harvest did not differ between PIT-tagged and wing-banded groups (P = 0.126). In this captive experiment, both techniques had minimal effects on measured parameters and thus may be useful field-marking techniques. Because of our results, lower cost, and external visibility of patagial markers, we advocate use of patagial markers to tag bobwhite chicks for studies of chick survival, harvest rate, and site fidelity.