The Use of Radio Tracking in an Ecological Study of the Lesser Flamingo in the Eastern Rift Valley

Abstract

Radio tracking was used to study diurnal activity of free living lesser flamingoes in East Africa. Data were also obtained on daily range and migratory behavior. The method of packaging and attaching the transmitter, battery life duration and reception range are given and the advantage of using telemetry over other behavioral sampling methods is discussed. The results of time budget analyses are given and mention made of their use in developing energy budget models to examine the energetics of diet selection, ranging and breeding initiation.