Effects of Radiotransmitter Necklaces on Behaviors of Adult Male Western Burrowing Owls |
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Authors: | ERICA D CHIPMAN NANCY E McINTYRE JAMES D RAY MARK C WALLACE CLINT W BOAL |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131, USA;2. BWXT Pantex LLC, Pantex Plant, Building T-9061, Amarillo, TX 79120, USA;3. Department of Natural Resource Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA;4. United States Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2120, USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract: We studied the behavioral effects of necklace-style radiotransmitters on breeding male western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in 2 areas of northwestern Texas, USA, in 2004 and 2005. We tested the hypothesis that transmittered owls would spend time interacting with their necklaces and as a result spend less time in vigilance and resting activities than would nontransmittered owls. Nontransmittered owls (n = 6) spent significantly more time being vigilant (P = 0.007) than did transmittered owls (n = 3) in 2004, who spent significant amounts of time interacting with their necklaces. In 2005, behaviors of transmittered owls (n = 8) were significantly different (P < 0.001) from control individuals (n = 4), but behaviors did not vary consistently by treatment period (prenecklace vs. necklace vs. postnecklace periods). Behavioral activity budgets varied considerably among individuals. Although the owls spent a significant amount of time interacting with their necklaces, they appeared to habituate to the presence of the transmitters within a relatively short period (<1week), and necklaces did not affect survivorship or fitness in the short-term. |
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Keywords: | Athene cunicularia hypugaea behavior burrowing owl radiotelemetry Texas transmitter attachment |
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