Our Bird Solar GPS tags are high-performance wildlife telemetry tags. e-obs bird tags are lightweight but incredibly rugged to be able to last for years in harsh environments.
This tag is suitable for:
Bird Solar 14 Lite
-
Species weighing over 500 g
- Species at least temporarily in UHF download range
-
Species with regular exposure to sunlight. Thanks to its extended battery capacity it can also be used on nocturnal species.
Bird Solar 10 & 14 Lite
Tag specifications
Dimensions (L x W x H in mm)
50 x 22 x 11
Weight (excl. harness)
14 g
Min. animal weight (3% rule)
500 g
Battery capacity
260 mAh
Potential total GPS fixes (without solar charge)*
500 fixes
Potential daily 1 Hz GPS (when recharging)**
11200 fixes
Sensor suite
GPS, ACC
Communication
UHF
* Estimated using hourly GPS fixes (24 h/day), 20 Hz ACC for 2 seconds every 10 minutes (24 h/day), and a 1 Hz Pinger (1 h/day).
** Estimated using a solar recharge capacity of 200 mAh/day, 20 Hz ACC for 2 seconds every 10 minutes (24 h/day), and a 1 Hz pinger (1 h/day).
Features
Multi-sensor data acquisition
Wildlife research has become complex – too complex for terrestrial tracking and even GPS alone. By intelligently combining a variety of additional sensors including ACC and IMU, you get a much more complete picture of the animal’s life and can tackle much more complex study questions.
GPS
GPS provides detailed information about animal position and movement. With a GPS position of up to every second and extremely high accuracy, precise movement analyses are possible:
- Migration
-
Home range
- Habitat selection and use
-
Locomotion
ACC
The acceleration sensor (ACC) provides in-depth information about animal behavior. It measures acceleration (activity) on 3 axes with a frequency of up to 100Hz. The short bursts of raw data enable the study of:
-
Activity patterns
-
Behavior classification
-
Energy budgeting
-
Animal well-being
Smart sampling
e-obs smart sampling allows you to focus on – and collect – only the most relevant data. You can focus your recording based on animal behavior (activity, speed or posture), location (geofence), and other parameters to optimize your data collection, energy budgeting and overall tag performance.
Dual wireless download and acces
e-obs offers standard terrestrial tracking (pinger) and 2-way local remote download via UHF radio communication with minimal power requirements and high data rates.
Better by design
Reliability without compromise. It simply must work – always. Which is why we make no compromises and think things through down to the very last design details. We also only use top-quality components to ensure that our e-obs tags last and perform.
-
Superior UV-protected housing materials
-
100% waterproof even in the harshest environments
Analysis software and data access
The e-obs tag can provide you with an extensive and valuable data set, and we offer many ways and third-party software solutions to access, manage and analyze this data. To help you work as effectively as possible, e-obs offers data conversion in various formats, download via Movebank and software solutions such as Firetail.
Dive deep into your data
Our goal is to provide you with a tag that not only allows you to monitor your animal, but also to see every little movement and perform detailed behavioral studies. The data collected by e-obs tags provides in-depth information about the animal’s activity – every second, every hour, every day, every month, every year, or even over the animal’s entire lifetime.
Tracking movement at any level of detail
Track your animal’s migration (routes, timing), see and analyze stopovers or travel techniques (thermal jumps) and even the smallest movements such as fl ight behavior in thermal uplifts, the crossing of geographic barriers or hunting success.
Tracking activity at any level of detail
Accompany your tagged animal over days, weeks, seasons, and years. You will be able to understand its activity at each moment in time, how much energy it spends on each behavior, and perform a detailed behavioral classifi cation. See how it learns, changes and adapts its behavior and see how it powers through different periods.
References
2026
Basso, Enzo; Beirne, Christopher; Petri, Tobias; Goldhahn, Cody; Luthy, Kyle; Crowe, William; Zinke, Marcus; Wicks, Sarah; Tubelli, Eduardo; Chulla, Diego Rollim; Berger, Matthias; Whitworth, Andrew
In: Animal Biotelemetry, 2026, ISSN: 2050-3385.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, accelerometry, animal-borne video, behavioral classification, drop-off system, ground truthing, ground-truth validation, king vulture, Sarcoramphus papa, Vulture
@article{basso_ground-truth_2026,
title = {Ground-truth validation of behavioral classifications from accelerometer data using an integrated GPS-accelerometer-camera device: application to an elusive scavenger},
author = {Enzo Basso and Christopher Beirne and Tobias Petri and Cody Goldhahn and Kyle Luthy and William Crowe and Marcus Zinke and Sarah Wicks and Eduardo Tubelli and Diego Rollim Chulla and Matthias Berger and Andrew Whitworth},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40317-026-00494-w},
doi = {10.1186/s40317-026-00494-w},
issn = {2050-3385},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-09-01},
urldate = {2026-09-15},
journal = {Animal Biotelemetry},
abstract = {Background Animal-borne cameras integrated with multi-sensor devices offer a powerful tool for hypothesisdriven research. Video recordings enable ground-truth validation of behavioral modes inferred from triaxial accelerometer data in wild animals. However, retrieving video data can be challenging due to battery limitations and the lack of remote download stations. We tested a GPS\textendashaccelerometer device integrated with a customized camera and a harness drop-off system on two adult King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa), an elusive Neotropical scavenger. Video recordings from animal-borne cameras were used to establish behavioral reference annotations, which were temporally aligned with accelerometer data and compared against the output of a Self-Organizing Map algorithm to validate behavioral classification performance. Model performance was evaluated using precision, recall, and F1-score metrics.
Results Prototypes were successfully deployed, yielding a total of 764 video files and 2 h 16 min of footage for ground-truth validation. Five to six behavioral modes were identified per individual and matched with accelerometer data. Resting was the most common behavior (59.2\textendash69.9% of time), followed by flight modes such as soaring\textendashgliding (textasciitilde 19%) and flapping (textasciitilde 3%), while preening accounted for 7.6\textendash17.3% of activity and feeding was rare (1.36%, observed in one individual only). Model performance varied across behaviors and individuals. Resting showed high classification performance (F1-score: 0.72\textendash0.89), as did soaring\textendashgliding (F1-score: 0.73\textendash0.94). Flapping achieved moderate performance (F1-score: 0.68\textendash0.76), while preening showed lower classification performance (F1-score: 0.37\textendash0.38). Feeding was poorly classified (F1-score: 0.26), reflecting higher behavioral variability and class imbalance.
Conclusion Animal-borne video provides behavioral reference data for evaluating accelerometer-based behavioral classification models. We evaluated the performance of our prototype, demonstrating its utility for recording behavior in elusive species and offering a solution where direct validation of acceleration data is difficult. We recognize several aspects that should be improved in future designs, including prototype weight, shape, and},
keywords = {accelerometer, accelerometry, animal-borne video, behavioral classification, drop-off system, ground truthing, ground-truth validation, king vulture, Sarcoramphus papa, Vulture},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background Animal-borne cameras integrated with multi-sensor devices offer a powerful tool for hypothesisdriven research. Video recordings enable ground-truth validation of behavioral modes inferred from triaxial accelerometer data in wild animals. However, retrieving video data can be challenging due to battery limitations and the lack of remote download stations. We tested a GPS–accelerometer device integrated with a customized camera and a harness drop-off system on two adult King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa), an elusive Neotropical scavenger. Video recordings from animal-borne cameras were used to establish behavioral reference annotations, which were temporally aligned with accelerometer data and compared against the output of a Self-Organizing Map algorithm to validate behavioral classification performance. Model performance was evaluated using precision, recall, and F1-score metrics.
Results Prototypes were successfully deployed, yielding a total of 764 video files and 2 h 16 min of footage for ground-truth validation. Five to six behavioral modes were identified per individual and matched with accelerometer data. Resting was the most common behavior (59.2–69.9% of time), followed by flight modes such as soaring–gliding (textasciitilde 19%) and flapping (textasciitilde 3%), while preening accounted for 7.6–17.3% of activity and feeding was rare (1.36%, observed in one individual only). Model performance varied across behaviors and individuals. Resting showed high classification performance (F1-score: 0.72–0.89), as did soaring–gliding (F1-score: 0.73–0.94). Flapping achieved moderate performance (F1-score: 0.68–0.76), while preening showed lower classification performance (F1-score: 0.37–0.38). Feeding was poorly classified (F1-score: 0.26), reflecting higher behavioral variability and class imbalance.
Conclusion Animal-borne video provides behavioral reference data for evaluating accelerometer-based behavioral classification models. We evaluated the performance of our prototype, demonstrating its utility for recording behavior in elusive species and offering a solution where direct validation of acceleration data is difficult. We recognize several aspects that should be improved in future designs, including prototype weight, shape, and
Results Prototypes were successfully deployed, yielding a total of 764 video files and 2 h 16 min of footage for ground-truth validation. Five to six behavioral modes were identified per individual and matched with accelerometer data. Resting was the most common behavior (59.2–69.9% of time), followed by flight modes such as soaring–gliding (textasciitilde 19%) and flapping (textasciitilde 3%), while preening accounted for 7.6–17.3% of activity and feeding was rare (1.36%, observed in one individual only). Model performance varied across behaviors and individuals. Resting showed high classification performance (F1-score: 0.72–0.89), as did soaring–gliding (F1-score: 0.73–0.94). Flapping achieved moderate performance (F1-score: 0.68–0.76), while preening showed lower classification performance (F1-score: 0.37–0.38). Feeding was poorly classified (F1-score: 0.26), reflecting higher behavioral variability and class imbalance.
Conclusion Animal-borne video provides behavioral reference data for evaluating accelerometer-based behavioral classification models. We evaluated the performance of our prototype, demonstrating its utility for recording behavior in elusive species and offering a solution where direct validation of acceleration data is difficult. We recognize several aspects that should be improved in future designs, including prototype weight, shape, and
Bounas, Anastasios; Kret, Elzbieta; Sidiropoulos, Lavrentis; Zakkak, Sylvia; Kapsalis, Eleftherios; Arkumarev, Volen; Dobrev, Dobromir; Stamenov, Anton; Stoychev, Stoycho; Vasilakis, Dimitris
Displacement effects on an endangered cinereous vulture population in a landscape of increasing wind power development Journal Article
In: Biological Conservation, vol. 315, pp. 111728, 2026, ISSN: 0006-3207.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Cumulative impacts, Displacement, Energetic costs, Flight behaviour, flying bird, scavenger, Soaring birds, Space use, Spatial planning, Vulture, Wind energy
@article{bounas_displacement_2026,
title = {Displacement effects on an endangered cinereous vulture population in a landscape of increasing wind power development},
author = {Anastasios Bounas and Elzbieta Kret and Lavrentis Sidiropoulos and Sylvia Zakkak and Eleftherios Kapsalis and Volen Arkumarev and Dobromir Dobrev and Anton Stamenov and Stoycho Stoychev and Dimitris Vasilakis},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320726000364},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111728},
issn = {0006-3207},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {315},
pages = {111728},
abstract = {Windenergy is widely considered to be an integral part in global efforts to mitigate climate change, but its rapid expansion is raising concerns regarding its impacts on biodiversity and specifically soaring birds which rely on the same high-wind landscapes targeted for turbine siting. Understanding how these developments alter space use, movement behaviour, and energy expenditure is critical for mitigating impacts on threatened populations. Here, we combined two decades of telemetry data to evaluate the responses of Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) in a region undergoing substantialwind power plant development. Long-term analyses (2004\textendash2022) revealed pronounced displacement, with population utilization reduced by 85\textendash89% within 200 m of turbines. High-resolution GPS tracking (2016\textendash2021) provided complementary behavioural insights, showing significant reductions in crossing rates, daily flight distances and time spent near turbines once they became operational. We also identified areas of increased vulture activity that overlap with planned wind farms under licensing, suggesting that such sites may represent critical corridors for population movement and should remain undeveloped. Our findings support considering cumulative displacement and potential energetic costs in environmental assessments alongside major existing threats, including poisoning and electrocution. We recommend spatial planning that avoids core movement areas to reconcile renewable energy expansion with the conservation of large soaring raptors.},
keywords = {accelerometer, Cumulative impacts, Displacement, Energetic costs, Flight behaviour, flying bird, scavenger, Soaring birds, Space use, Spatial planning, Vulture, Wind energy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Windenergy is widely considered to be an integral part in global efforts to mitigate climate change, but its rapid expansion is raising concerns regarding its impacts on biodiversity and specifically soaring birds which rely on the same high-wind landscapes targeted for turbine siting. Understanding how these developments alter space use, movement behaviour, and energy expenditure is critical for mitigating impacts on threatened populations. Here, we combined two decades of telemetry data to evaluate the responses of Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) in a region undergoing substantialwind power plant development. Long-term analyses (2004–2022) revealed pronounced displacement, with population utilization reduced by 85–89% within 200 m of turbines. High-resolution GPS tracking (2016–2021) provided complementary behavioural insights, showing significant reductions in crossing rates, daily flight distances and time spent near turbines once they became operational. We also identified areas of increased vulture activity that overlap with planned wind farms under licensing, suggesting that such sites may represent critical corridors for population movement and should remain undeveloped. Our findings support considering cumulative displacement and potential energetic costs in environmental assessments alongside major existing threats, including poisoning and electrocution. We recommend spatial planning that avoids core movement areas to reconcile renewable energy expansion with the conservation of large soaring raptors.
Gambra, Daniel; Peláez, Marta; Perea, Ramón; Navarro, Enrique; Hornfeldt, Birger; Singh, Navinder J.
Continental scale light-temperature extremes reveal key behavioural trade-offs Journal Article
In: 2026.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, eagle, Flying, Soaring
@article{gambra_continental_2026,
title = {Continental scale light-temperature extremes reveal key behavioural trade-offs},
author = {Daniel Gambra and Marta Pel\'{a}ez and Ram\'{o}n Perea and Enrique Navarro and Birger Hornfeldt and Navinder J. Singh},
url = {https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/11810/},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-01},
urldate = {2026-04-22},
publisher = {EcoEvoRxiv},
abstract = {Daily rhythms determine ecological interactions, but we rarely know how animals convert activity schedules into movement and space use across extreme light\textendashtemperature regimes. Using multi-annual GPS data from 76 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) tracked across Scandinavia and Iberia (spanning 35° latitude), we quantified diel activity and displacement to test how photoperiod and temperature reshape time budgets and movement. Activity was strongly diurnal with a midday peak, but its relationship with daylight was non-linear and latitude-specific: Scandinavian eagles shifted south in winter and remained active near freezing, whereas Iberian eagles were nomadic and reduced activity during long, hot days. Displacement peaks diverged from activity peaks, showing interactive light\textendashtemperature effects, greater movements by immatures, reduced movements during breeding, and winter maxima despite limited daylight. This partial decoupling reveals latitude-dependent movement\textendashactivity trade-offs: temperature alters the match between available active time and conditions for efficient travel, reshaping displacement and space use.},
keywords = {accelerometer, eagle, Flying, Soaring},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Daily rhythms determine ecological interactions, but we rarely know how animals convert activity schedules into movement and space use across extreme light–temperature regimes. Using multi-annual GPS data from 76 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) tracked across Scandinavia and Iberia (spanning 35° latitude), we quantified diel activity and displacement to test how photoperiod and temperature reshape time budgets and movement. Activity was strongly diurnal with a midday peak, but its relationship with daylight was non-linear and latitude-specific: Scandinavian eagles shifted south in winter and remained active near freezing, whereas Iberian eagles were nomadic and reduced activity during long, hot days. Displacement peaks diverged from activity peaks, showing interactive light–temperature effects, greater movements by immatures, reduced movements during breeding, and winter maxima despite limited daylight. This partial decoupling reveals latitude-dependent movement–activity trade-offs: temperature alters the match between available active time and conditions for efficient travel, reshaping displacement and space use.
Faure, Louise; Gunnell, Yanni; Brønnvik, Hester; Bassi, Enrico; Grüebler, Martin U.; Jenny, David; Sumasgutner, Petra; Wikelski, Martin; Safi, Kamran; Nourani, Elham
Early avoidance of human-dominated landscapes by juvenile Alpine golden eagles Miscellaneous
2026, (ISSN: 2692-8205 Pages: 2026.01.30.702719 Section: New Results).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Bird Solar Cellular, eagle, Flying, Lifetime, raptor, Soaring
@misc{faure_early_2026,
title = {Early avoidance of human-dominated landscapes by juvenile Alpine golden eagles},
author = {Louise Faure and Yanni Gunnell and Hester Br\onnvik and Enrico Bassi and Martin U. Gr\"{u}ebler and David Jenny and Petra Sumasgutner and Martin Wikelski and Kamran Safi and Elham Nourani},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.30.702719v1},
doi = {10.64898/2026.01.30.702719},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
publisher = {bioRxiv},
abstract = {The expanding human footprint drives profound transformations in species, including not only morphological trait loss but also behavioural trait extinction. In contrast to behavioural trait extinction, which entails a reduction in genetic variability, behavioural plasticity maintains behavioural trait diversity and the associated genetic variability required for evolutionary adaptation. Yet, while behavioural plasticity shaping non-human capacity to coexist with humans has evolved under past, human-modified, environmental conditions, few studies have examined whether species retain a level of behavioural plasticity after past interactions with humans.Using data from 64 juveniles golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from a population demographically recovering after centuries of persecution, yet still restricted to less human-dominated alpine massifs, we tested whether human avoidance is innate or learned through experience during dispersal or parental influences during the pre-dispersal period. We performed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on landscape features used during the pre-dispersal and the first fifteen weeks of the dispersal phase, and used Mahalanobis distance as an indicator for quantifying changes in individual spatial behaviour over time.The lower frequency of use of human-dominated landscape features, compared with the more sparsely populated mid- and high-elevation landscape features, resulted from individuals’ consistent use of similar landscape features across the pre-dispersal and dispersal periods. Avoidance of humans was therefore better explained by a learning or imprinting process prior to dispersal, which predisposed individuals to use landscape features similar to those experienced during pre-dispersal, rather than by learning during dispersal, or by an innate avoidance.Imprinting on natal habitat features corroborates the observed limited range expansion of the alpine population beyond the massif borders. Differences among European populations in range recolonisation suggest contrasting histories of persecution, which may have left varying degrees of behavioural plasticity across populations.As a guide for future conservation priorities, these findings underscore the need to reconstruct past conditions and/or to document contemporary animal behaviour in order to build a library of behaviours that can be used in the future to track behavioural changes.},
note = {ISSN: 2692-8205
Pages: 2026.01.30.702719
Section: New Results},
keywords = {accelerometer, Bird Solar Cellular, eagle, Flying, Lifetime, raptor, Soaring},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}
The expanding human footprint drives profound transformations in species, including not only morphological trait loss but also behavioural trait extinction. In contrast to behavioural trait extinction, which entails a reduction in genetic variability, behavioural plasticity maintains behavioural trait diversity and the associated genetic variability required for evolutionary adaptation. Yet, while behavioural plasticity shaping non-human capacity to coexist with humans has evolved under past, human-modified, environmental conditions, few studies have examined whether species retain a level of behavioural plasticity after past interactions with humans.Using data from 64 juveniles golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from a population demographically recovering after centuries of persecution, yet still restricted to less human-dominated alpine massifs, we tested whether human avoidance is innate or learned through experience during dispersal or parental influences during the pre-dispersal period. We performed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on landscape features used during the pre-dispersal and the first fifteen weeks of the dispersal phase, and used Mahalanobis distance as an indicator for quantifying changes in individual spatial behaviour over time.The lower frequency of use of human-dominated landscape features, compared with the more sparsely populated mid- and high-elevation landscape features, resulted from individuals’ consistent use of similar landscape features across the pre-dispersal and dispersal periods. Avoidance of humans was therefore better explained by a learning or imprinting process prior to dispersal, which predisposed individuals to use landscape features similar to those experienced during pre-dispersal, rather than by learning during dispersal, or by an innate avoidance.Imprinting on natal habitat features corroborates the observed limited range expansion of the alpine population beyond the massif borders. Differences among European populations in range recolonisation suggest contrasting histories of persecution, which may have left varying degrees of behavioural plasticity across populations.As a guide for future conservation priorities, these findings underscore the need to reconstruct past conditions and/or to document contemporary animal behaviour in order to build a library of behaviours that can be used in the future to track behavioural changes.
Ferrer, Miguel; Muriel, Roberto; Bambusch, Ryan; García-Macía, Jorge; Morandini, Virginia; Ferrer, Miguel
Lack of Avoidance Behavior in Wind Farms by Young Spanish Imperial Eagles Miscellaneous
2026.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, avoidance behavior, avoidance behaviour, Bird Solar Cellular, density of locations, dispersal period, dispersal period; Spanish imperial eagle; wind farm; wind turbine, eagle, Flying, flying bird, human conflict, Lifetime, raptor, raptors, Soaring, Spanish imperial eagle, wind, wind farm, wind turbine
@misc{ferrer_lack_2026,
title = {Lack of Avoidance Behavior in Wind Farms by Young Spanish Imperial Eagles},
author = {Miguel Ferrer and Roberto Muriel and Ryan Bambusch and Jorge Garc\'{i}a-Mac\'{i}a and Virginia Morandini and Miguel Ferrer},
url = {https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202601.0850},
doi = {10.20944/preprints202601.0850.v1},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
publisher = {Preprints},
abstract = {Wind farms are known to trigger avoidance behaviour leading to habitat loss in some raptors. The recovery of the Spanish imperial eagle, Aquila adalberti, in Cadiz, a Spanish province with a high density of wind farms, is of concern. Macro-displacement was studied by comparing juvenile density between wind farms and control areas. Meso-displacement was studied comparing actual density in each 200 m interval of distance around turbines against a random distribution, assuming no-avoidance, controlling for the influence of other environmental factors. We found no evidence of avoidance at macro scale. At meso scale, using density method, we did not find any evidence supporting eagle avoidance behaviour. The study of avoidance behaviours is an ongoing topic that can help to improve conservation and management decisions, especially for species sensitive to the presence of wind farms and other threatening infrastructures in their habitats.},
keywords = {accelerometer, avoidance behavior, avoidance behaviour, Bird Solar Cellular, density of locations, dispersal period, dispersal period; Spanish imperial eagle; wind farm; wind turbine, eagle, Flying, flying bird, human conflict, Lifetime, raptor, raptors, Soaring, Spanish imperial eagle, wind, wind farm, wind turbine},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}
Wind farms are known to trigger avoidance behaviour leading to habitat loss in some raptors. The recovery of the Spanish imperial eagle, Aquila adalberti, in Cadiz, a Spanish province with a high density of wind farms, is of concern. Macro-displacement was studied by comparing juvenile density between wind farms and control areas. Meso-displacement was studied comparing actual density in each 200 m interval of distance around turbines against a random distribution, assuming no-avoidance, controlling for the influence of other environmental factors. We found no evidence of avoidance at macro scale. At meso scale, using density method, we did not find any evidence supporting eagle avoidance behaviour. The study of avoidance behaviours is an ongoing topic that can help to improve conservation and management decisions, especially for species sensitive to the presence of wind farms and other threatening infrastructures in their habitats.
Mandl, Isabella; Abdou, Badrane Ben Ali; Said, Ishaka; O'Mara, Teague; Flanders, Jon; Chaihane, Sourette Said Ali; Lewis, Owen T.; Mohamed, Misbahou; Doulton, Hugh
Home ranges, feeding sites, and daily movement behavior of the highly threatened Livingstone's fruit bat revealed through GPS tracking Journal Article
In: Conservation Science and Practice, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. e70208, 2026, ISSN: 2578-4854, (_eprint: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/csp2.70208).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Africa, African, Bird Solar 15g, flying fox, Flying Mammal, forest-dependent, habitat loss, habitat use, Indian Ocean, island conservation
@article{mandl_home_2026,
title = {Home ranges, feeding sites, and daily movement behavior of the highly threatened Livingstone's fruit bat revealed through GPS tracking},
author = {Isabella Mandl and Badrane Ben Ali Abdou and Ishaka Said and Teague O'Mara and Jon Flanders and Sourette Said Ali Chaihane and Owen T. Lewis and Misbahou Mohamed and Hugh Doulton},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/csp2.70208},
doi = {10.1111/csp2.70208},
issn = {2578-4854},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-04-22},
journal = {Conservation Science and Practice},
volume = {8},
number = {3},
pages = {e70208},
abstract = {The highly threatened Livingstone's fruit bat, Pteropus livingstonii, is endemic to only two islands of the Union of the Comoros, a country with some of the highest deforestation rates worldwide. The majority of the bat population is found on Anjouan, where only 10% of the island surface still has intact forest cover. Classed as a “forest-dependent” species, our aim was to understand the landscape use of the bats in order to focus conservation efforts on important bat resources. For this we retrieved movement data from 17 individuals fitted with GPS trackers between May 2022 and October 2023, in both the dry and the wet seasons. We identified home ranges, potential feeding sites, and daily movement behavior. Potential feeding sites were found mainly in forest and agroforest habitats, the two landcover classes with high tree cover. The tagged bats traveled similar distances during the day as during the night, indicating increased diurnal movement compared to closely related species, possibly due to a combination of lack of predation and having to meet nutritional needs in a highly degraded landscape. The results of this research will be integrated into a landscape-wide conservation programme implemented by a local conservation organization together with communities.},
note = {_eprint: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/csp2.70208},
keywords = {accelerometer, Africa, African, Bird Solar 15g, flying fox, Flying Mammal, forest-dependent, habitat loss, habitat use, Indian Ocean, island conservation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The highly threatened Livingstone's fruit bat, Pteropus livingstonii, is endemic to only two islands of the Union of the Comoros, a country with some of the highest deforestation rates worldwide. The majority of the bat population is found on Anjouan, where only 10% of the island surface still has intact forest cover. Classed as a “forest-dependent” species, our aim was to understand the landscape use of the bats in order to focus conservation efforts on important bat resources. For this we retrieved movement data from 17 individuals fitted with GPS trackers between May 2022 and October 2023, in both the dry and the wet seasons. We identified home ranges, potential feeding sites, and daily movement behavior. Potential feeding sites were found mainly in forest and agroforest habitats, the two landcover classes with high tree cover. The tagged bats traveled similar distances during the day as during the night, indicating increased diurnal movement compared to closely related species, possibly due to a combination of lack of predation and having to meet nutritional needs in a highly degraded landscape. The results of this research will be integrated into a landscape-wide conservation programme implemented by a local conservation organization together with communities.
Pulcella, Sophie; Wolter, Kerri; Pinto, Juliana; Kuhn, Brian; Fiedler, Wolfgang
Monitoring survival probabilities of Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres in South Africa, using GPS tracking data Journal Article
In: Ostrich, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2026, ISSN: 0030-6525, (_eprint: https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2026.2620766).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, flying bird, global positioning system device, Migration, mortality, ringing, scavenger, survival probability, Vulture, vulture conservation, vulture decline
@article{pulcella_monitoring_2026,
title = {Monitoring survival probabilities of Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres in South Africa, using GPS tracking data},
author = {Sophie Pulcella and Kerri Wolter and Juliana Pinto and Brian Kuhn and Wolfgang Fiedler},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2026.2620766},
doi = {10.2989/00306525.2026.2620766},
issn = {0030-6525},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-04-22},
journal = {Ostrich},
volume = {97},
number = {1},
pages = {1\textendash10},
publisher = {Taylor \& Francis},
abstract = {The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is a species of Old-World vulture endemic to southern Africa. Currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, they face increasing threats from anthropogenic hazards, such as collisions with man-made infrastructure and poisoning events, leading to ongoing population declines. This study aimed to investigate the survival probabilities of a sample of 20 Cape Vultures, fitted with GPS tracking devices whilst fledglings at the Skeerpoort breeding colony, in the Northwest province of South Africa. These individuals were then monitored for a period of 1 683 days, with a known fate index created to track any deaths or removal from the population, allowing for both cumulative and annual estimated survival rates to be calculated. Cumulative survival probability decreased from 0.512 at one year to 0.171 by year four, with 64% of all confirmed mortalities occurring within the first year and electrocution and collisions with power lines being the most prevalent causes (accounting for 20% and 15% of all outcomes respectively). Whilst annual survival probabilities appeared more stable, 0.512 in the first year and 0.540 in the fourth, these survival rates are markedly lower in comparison to those of other studies on Cape Vultures, as well as other vulture species and, furthermore, an extrapolated model for future survival predicted a survival probability of just 0.014 ten years after the GPS device was fitted. These findings highlight the need for targeted conservation measures, such as improved power line management and supplementary feeding stations to reduce mortality during the juvenile and subadult life stages of Cape Vultures.},
note = {_eprint: https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2026.2620766},
keywords = {accelerometer, flying bird, global positioning system device, Migration, mortality, ringing, scavenger, survival probability, Vulture, vulture conservation, vulture decline},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is a species of Old-World vulture endemic to southern Africa. Currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, they face increasing threats from anthropogenic hazards, such as collisions with man-made infrastructure and poisoning events, leading to ongoing population declines. This study aimed to investigate the survival probabilities of a sample of 20 Cape Vultures, fitted with GPS tracking devices whilst fledglings at the Skeerpoort breeding colony, in the Northwest province of South Africa. These individuals were then monitored for a period of 1 683 days, with a known fate index created to track any deaths or removal from the population, allowing for both cumulative and annual estimated survival rates to be calculated. Cumulative survival probability decreased from 0.512 at one year to 0.171 by year four, with 64% of all confirmed mortalities occurring within the first year and electrocution and collisions with power lines being the most prevalent causes (accounting for 20% and 15% of all outcomes respectively). Whilst annual survival probabilities appeared more stable, 0.512 in the first year and 0.540 in the fourth, these survival rates are markedly lower in comparison to those of other studies on Cape Vultures, as well as other vulture species and, furthermore, an extrapolated model for future survival predicted a survival probability of just 0.014 ten years after the GPS device was fitted. These findings highlight the need for targeted conservation measures, such as improved power line management and supplementary feeding stations to reduce mortality during the juvenile and subadult life stages of Cape Vultures.
Ulrey, Erin E.; Bakner, Nicholas W.; Kilgo, John C.; Collier, Bret A.; Chamberlain, Michael J.
Exploring spatial relationships of male wild Turkeys during the breeding season Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 4637, 2026, ISSN: 2045-2322.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Behavioural ecology, Ecology, gps, ground, mortality, social, terrestrial, turkey
@article{ulrey_exploring_2026,
title = {Exploring spatial relationships of male wild Turkeys during the breeding season},
author = {Erin E. Ulrey and Nicholas W. Bakner and John C. Kilgo and Bret A. Collier and Michael J. Chamberlain},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-34883-7},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-34883-7},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4637},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
abstract = {Leks are characterized as clusters of displaying males that females visit primarily for the purpose of mating, and represent complex mating systems observed across various species, including birds, mammals, and insects. Male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) use reproductive strategies that involve visual and acoustic displays to compete for mates. However, there is ambiguity as to whether the mating system of eastern wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris) is a form of lekking. Our objective was to evaluate the potential that eastern wild turkeys use a form of a lek mating system via a movement based recursive analysis to identify if areas were revisited by males during the breeding season, and whether selection of revisited areas was related to resources or female distribution. Using GPS locations collected from 151 male and 261 female wild turkeys from 2014 to 2023 across the southeastern United States, we identified 6,565 locations that occurred within revisited areas during the breeding season and examined resource selection by males at those revisited areas. We found that average size of revisited areas was 49.89 ha and comprised approximately 8.12% of male breeding season home ranges. Male wild turkeys traveled greater distances from their winter home ranges to revisited areas, than did females from their winter home ranges to pre-laying ranges. Male wild turkeys selected revisited areas that were closer to hardwood forests and open areas. Additionally, we found that selection of revisited areas was positively associated with an increase in the relative probability of female presence and visibility of males. We encourage research to further elucidate the dynamics of wild turkey mating behaviors relative to potential forms of lekking that wild turkeys may use throughout their geographic range.},
keywords = {accelerometer, Behavioural ecology, Ecology, gps, ground, mortality, social, terrestrial, turkey},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Leks are characterized as clusters of displaying males that females visit primarily for the purpose of mating, and represent complex mating systems observed across various species, including birds, mammals, and insects. Male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) use reproductive strategies that involve visual and acoustic displays to compete for mates. However, there is ambiguity as to whether the mating system of eastern wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris) is a form of lekking. Our objective was to evaluate the potential that eastern wild turkeys use a form of a lek mating system via a movement based recursive analysis to identify if areas were revisited by males during the breeding season, and whether selection of revisited areas was related to resources or female distribution. Using GPS locations collected from 151 male and 261 female wild turkeys from 2014 to 2023 across the southeastern United States, we identified 6,565 locations that occurred within revisited areas during the breeding season and examined resource selection by males at those revisited areas. We found that average size of revisited areas was 49.89 ha and comprised approximately 8.12% of male breeding season home ranges. Male wild turkeys traveled greater distances from their winter home ranges to revisited areas, than did females from their winter home ranges to pre-laying ranges. Male wild turkeys selected revisited areas that were closer to hardwood forests and open areas. Additionally, we found that selection of revisited areas was positively associated with an increase in the relative probability of female presence and visibility of males. We encourage research to further elucidate the dynamics of wild turkey mating behaviors relative to potential forms of lekking that wild turkeys may use throughout their geographic range.
Goodman, Paige E.; Bakner, Nicholas W.; Gulotta, Nickolas A.; Ulrey, Erin E.; Collier, Bret A.; Chamberlain, Michael J.
Space Use and Movements During Egg Laying Associated With Nest Fate and Female Survival in Eastern Wild Turkeys Journal Article
In: Ecology and Evolution, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. e73026, 2026, ISSN: 2045-7758, (_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.73026).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, egg laying, ground, Meleagris gallopavo, mortality, nesting, reproduction, social, Space use, survival, terrestrial, Wild Turkey
@article{goodman_space_2026,
title = {Space Use and Movements During Egg Laying Associated With Nest Fate and Female Survival in Eastern Wild Turkeys},
author = {Paige E. Goodman and Nicholas W. Bakner and Nickolas A. Gulotta and Erin E. Ulrey and Bret A. Collier and Michael J. Chamberlain},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.73026},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.73026},
issn = {2045-7758},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {e73026},
abstract = {Reproduction is a fundamental aspect of a species' life history that is energetically costly, yet critical for population sustainability and genetic diversity. Wild turkeys exhibit high rates of nest loss and female mortality during reproduction, prompting females to make decisions related to spatial and movement decisions during nesting. Using GPS data from eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris ), we assessed female movements and space use during laying and evaluated potential impacts of those metrics on nest success and female survival during incubation. We used a Bayesian logistic regression to estimate nest success and female survival based on space use, daily movements, and range overlap with conspecifics during the laying period. We found that with each increase of 700 m in average daily distance traveled during laying, there was a 1.73% decrease in the probability of nest success. We also found that having a greater number of conspecific females with overlapping core areas had a positive influence on nest fate. Specifically, an increase of 1 overlapping female (one standard deviation) was associated with a 4.76% increase in the probability of nest success. Conversely, we found weak support that female survival was positively related to increasing average daily distances traveled. Our findings suggest that female wild turkeys perceive reproductive advantages to sharing space with conspecifics during the laying period. Conversely, our findings suggest that movements of female wild turkeys within their reproductive period may only weakly influence metrics of reproductive success during both laying and incubation.},
note = {_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.73026},
keywords = {accelerometer, egg laying, ground, Meleagris gallopavo, mortality, nesting, reproduction, social, Space use, survival, terrestrial, Wild Turkey},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Reproduction is a fundamental aspect of a species' life history that is energetically costly, yet critical for population sustainability and genetic diversity. Wild turkeys exhibit high rates of nest loss and female mortality during reproduction, prompting females to make decisions related to spatial and movement decisions during nesting. Using GPS data from eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris ), we assessed female movements and space use during laying and evaluated potential impacts of those metrics on nest success and female survival during incubation. We used a Bayesian logistic regression to estimate nest success and female survival based on space use, daily movements, and range overlap with conspecifics during the laying period. We found that with each increase of 700 m in average daily distance traveled during laying, there was a 1.73% decrease in the probability of nest success. We also found that having a greater number of conspecific females with overlapping core areas had a positive influence on nest fate. Specifically, an increase of 1 overlapping female (one standard deviation) was associated with a 4.76% increase in the probability of nest success. Conversely, we found weak support that female survival was positively related to increasing average daily distances traveled. Our findings suggest that female wild turkeys perceive reproductive advantages to sharing space with conspecifics during the laying period. Conversely, our findings suggest that movements of female wild turkeys within their reproductive period may only weakly influence metrics of reproductive success during both laying and incubation.
Bravo-Chaparro, Elena; Rodríguez-Pérez, Jorge; Fernández-García, María; González, José Carlos; Báguena, Gerardo; e Santos, João Pedro Valente; Gutiérrez, Iván; López-Bao, José Vicente; Mateo-Tomás, Patricia
GPS-tracked vultures indicate a relaxation of conservation commitments in renewable energy development Journal Article
In: Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. e70225, 2026, ISSN: 1365-2664, (_eprint: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-2664.70225).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, biologging, Bird Solar Cellular, conflict, environmental impact assessment, environmental policy, Flying, human, legal downgrading, Lifetime, movement ecology, renewable energy, scavenger, scavengers, Soaring, Spatial planning, Vulture, Wind energy
@article{bravo-chaparro_gps-tracked_2026,
title = {GPS-tracked vultures indicate a relaxation of conservation commitments in renewable energy development},
author = {Elena Bravo-Chaparro and Jorge Rodr\'{i}guez-P\'{e}rez and Mar\'{i}a Fern\'{a}ndez-Garc\'{i}a and Jos\'{e} Carlos Gonz\'{a}lez and Gerardo B\'{a}guena and Jo\~{a}o Pedro Valente e Santos and Iv\'{a}n Guti\'{e}rrez and Jos\'{e} Vicente L\'{o}pez-Bao and Patricia Mateo-Tom\'{a}s},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2664.70225},
doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.70225},
issn = {1365-2664},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
volume = {63},
number = {1},
pages = {e70225},
abstract = {Strategic and well-informed environmental planning tools are instrumental to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Given the boost in renewable energy facilities, different planning tools are being proposed to identify low-sensitive areas for the installation of these infrastructures, where environmental impact assessment procedures are simplified. However, the effectiveness of these tools is rarely scrutinized and, therefore, if they are fit for purpose remains unsolved. We used data from 90 GPS-tracked griffon and bearded vultures to assess the level of spatial agreement between vultures' space use at heights with a risk of collision with wind turbines and the environmental sensitivity to wind energy identified by official planning tools. Despite relatively high agreements (\>0.6 out of 1), these tools still misclassified up to 88% of vultures' home ranges, with strong disagreements observed in foraging grounds, movement corridors and near breeding colonies. Furthermore, the spatial agreement decreased when considering the legally binding categories (\>0.6 out of 1) in contrast with the non-statutory categories (\>0.9 out of 1). Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the need to evaluate and improve official spatial planning tools developed to minimize environmental impacts such as those of renewable energies. GPS-tracking data from vulnerable species help in identifying risk areas misclassified by the planning tools, which should also be founded in a proper legal background (e.g., constraining development in the most sensitive areas) to avoid limiting their effectiveness in practice.},
note = {_eprint: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-2664.70225},
keywords = {accelerometer, biologging, Bird Solar Cellular, conflict, environmental impact assessment, environmental policy, Flying, human, legal downgrading, Lifetime, movement ecology, renewable energy, scavenger, scavengers, Soaring, Spatial planning, Vulture, Wind energy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Strategic and well-informed environmental planning tools are instrumental to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Given the boost in renewable energy facilities, different planning tools are being proposed to identify low-sensitive areas for the installation of these infrastructures, where environmental impact assessment procedures are simplified. However, the effectiveness of these tools is rarely scrutinized and, therefore, if they are fit for purpose remains unsolved. We used data from 90 GPS-tracked griffon and bearded vultures to assess the level of spatial agreement between vultures' space use at heights with a risk of collision with wind turbines and the environmental sensitivity to wind energy identified by official planning tools. Despite relatively high agreements (>0.6 out of 1), these tools still misclassified up to 88% of vultures' home ranges, with strong disagreements observed in foraging grounds, movement corridors and near breeding colonies. Furthermore, the spatial agreement decreased when considering the legally binding categories (>0.6 out of 1) in contrast with the non-statutory categories (>0.9 out of 1). Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the need to evaluate and improve official spatial planning tools developed to minimize environmental impacts such as those of renewable energies. GPS-tracking data from vulnerable species help in identifying risk areas misclassified by the planning tools, which should also be founded in a proper legal background (e.g., constraining development in the most sensitive areas) to avoid limiting their effectiveness in practice.
Tekam, Antoine S. A.; Russo, Nicholas J.; Sonké, Bonaventure; Deblauwe, Vincent; Nshom, Docas L.; Barbier, Nicolas; Ferraz, António; Saatchi, Sassan; Wikelski, Martin; Ordway, Elsa M.; Smith, Thomas B.
Habitat Selection and Seed Dispersal by the Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) in the Rainforests of Southern Cameroon Journal Article
In: Biotropica, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. e70153, 2026, ISSN: 1744-7429, (_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/btp.70153).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, African, Animal movement, Backpack, behavior, biodiversity, bird, Bird Solar, Flight behaviour, Flying, Forest, frugivore, home range, movement ecology, Space use, Step Selection Function, telemetry
@article{tekam_habitat_2026,
title = {Habitat Selection and Seed Dispersal by the Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) in the Rainforests of Southern Cameroon},
author = {Antoine S. A. Tekam and Nicholas J. Russo and Bonaventure Sonk\'{e} and Vincent Deblauwe and Docas L. Nshom and Nicolas Barbier and Ant\'{o}nio Ferraz and Sassan Saatchi and Martin Wikelski and Elsa M. Ordway and Thomas B. Smith},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/btp.70153},
doi = {10.1111/btp.70153},
issn = {1744-7429},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
urldate = {2026-02-17},
journal = {Biotropica},
volume = {58},
number = {1},
pages = {e70153},
abstract = {Tropical rainforests are biodiversity hotspots, where the seeds of 60%\textendash90% of trees are dispersed by animals, yet movement data needed to understand the behaviors and habitat selection of tropical frugivores remain scarce. We GPS-tracked four great blue turacos (Corythaeola cristata) in the Dja Faunal Reserve of southern Cameroon and predicted spatial patterns of seed dispersal within each bird's home range, which covered up to 2.33 km2. Using integrated Step Selection Analyses, we related turaco movements to LiDAR-derived measurements of 3D vegetation structure and habitat type. One individual preferred areas of tall canopy height, whereas one preferred intermediate canopy height and avoided swamps and areas of greater vertical vegetation complexity. Seed dispersal patterns for the two turacos with the largest home ranges were predicted to be more diffuse, with local maxima almost an order of magnitude smaller than those with smaller home ranges. Although the great blue turaco is a common bird species throughout central African forests, this is the first study to characterize the species' movement ecology using telemetry. The observed individual variation in movement and habitat use underscores the need to track a broader range of species in central African landscapes, which are increasingly threatened by hunting, logging, habitat loss, and climate change.},
note = {_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/btp.70153},
keywords = {accelerometer, African, Animal movement, Backpack, behavior, biodiversity, bird, Bird Solar, Flight behaviour, Flying, Forest, frugivore, home range, movement ecology, Space use, Step Selection Function, telemetry},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Tropical rainforests are biodiversity hotspots, where the seeds of 60%–90% of trees are dispersed by animals, yet movement data needed to understand the behaviors and habitat selection of tropical frugivores remain scarce. We GPS-tracked four great blue turacos (Corythaeola cristata) in the Dja Faunal Reserve of southern Cameroon and predicted spatial patterns of seed dispersal within each bird's home range, which covered up to 2.33 km2. Using integrated Step Selection Analyses, we related turaco movements to LiDAR-derived measurements of 3D vegetation structure and habitat type. One individual preferred areas of tall canopy height, whereas one preferred intermediate canopy height and avoided swamps and areas of greater vertical vegetation complexity. Seed dispersal patterns for the two turacos with the largest home ranges were predicted to be more diffuse, with local maxima almost an order of magnitude smaller than those with smaller home ranges. Although the great blue turaco is a common bird species throughout central African forests, this is the first study to characterize the species' movement ecology using telemetry. The observed individual variation in movement and habitat use underscores the need to track a broader range of species in central African landscapes, which are increasingly threatened by hunting, logging, habitat loss, and climate change.
2025
Ulrey, Erin E.; Bakner, Nicholas W.; Garabedian, James E.; Kilgo, John C.; Collier, Bret A.; Chamberlain, Michael J.
Use of LiDAR to examine habitat selection by incubating female wild turkeys in South Carolina Journal Article
In: Wildlife Society Bulletin, vol. 49, no. S1, pp. e1628, 2025, ISSN: 2328-5540, 2328-5540.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: behavior, bird, incubation, LiDAR, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, recess movement, resource selection function, Wild Turkey
@article{ulrey_use_2025,
title = {Use of LiDAR to examine habitat selection by incubating female wild turkeys in South Carolina},
author = {Erin E. Ulrey and Nicholas W. Bakner and James E. Garabedian and John C. Kilgo and Bret A. Collier and Michael J. Chamberlain},
url = {https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1628},
doi = {10.1002/wsb.1628},
issn = {2328-5540, 2328-5540},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-01},
urldate = {2025-12-17},
journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
volume = {49},
number = {S1},
pages = {e1628},
abstract = {Abstract
Avian reproductive activities are energetically demanding, leading to periods of heightened risk and reduced energy acquisition. Behavioral decisions by females in response to their physiological requirements are particularly important during nesting, as the availability and distribution of resources around nest sites can affect fitness of incubating females. We evaluated how spatially explicit LiDAR‐derived estimates of forest structure and topographical features influenced habitat selection by female eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
) during the incubation period. We analyzed spatial data from 83 nesting attempts at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, USA, during 2021\textendash2022. Female wild turkeys selected for incubation recess locations in pine (
Pinus
spp.) forests with an average basal area of textasciitilde14 m
2
/ha and density of 335 trees/ha. Selection probability was positively associated with south‐ and west‐facing aspects. Our findings highlight the importance of mature pine forests with understories that enhance foraging opportunities as key factors influencing incubation behaviors in female eastern wild turkeys.},
keywords = {behavior, bird, incubation, LiDAR, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, recess movement, resource selection function, Wild Turkey},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Avian reproductive activities are energetically demanding, leading to periods of heightened risk and reduced energy acquisition. Behavioral decisions by females in response to their physiological requirements are particularly important during nesting, as the availability and distribution of resources around nest sites can affect fitness of incubating females. We evaluated how spatially explicit LiDAR‐derived estimates of forest structure and topographical features influenced habitat selection by female eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
) during the incubation period. We analyzed spatial data from 83 nesting attempts at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, USA, during 2021–2022. Female wild turkeys selected for incubation recess locations in pine (
Pinus
spp.) forests with an average basal area of textasciitilde14 m
2
/ha and density of 335 trees/ha. Selection probability was positively associated with south‐ and west‐facing aspects. Our findings highlight the importance of mature pine forests with understories that enhance foraging opportunities as key factors influencing incubation behaviors in female eastern wild turkeys.
Avian reproductive activities are energetically demanding, leading to periods of heightened risk and reduced energy acquisition. Behavioral decisions by females in response to their physiological requirements are particularly important during nesting, as the availability and distribution of resources around nest sites can affect fitness of incubating females. We evaluated how spatially explicit LiDAR‐derived estimates of forest structure and topographical features influenced habitat selection by female eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
) during the incubation period. We analyzed spatial data from 83 nesting attempts at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, USA, during 2021–2022. Female wild turkeys selected for incubation recess locations in pine (
Pinus
spp.) forests with an average basal area of textasciitilde14 m
2
/ha and density of 335 trees/ha. Selection probability was positively associated with south‐ and west‐facing aspects. Our findings highlight the importance of mature pine forests with understories that enhance foraging opportunities as key factors influencing incubation behaviors in female eastern wild turkeys.
Boone, Wesley W.; Moorman, Christopher E.; Moscicki, David J.; Collier, Bret A.; Chamberlain, Michael J.; Terando, Adam J.; Kilgo, John C.; Bakner, Nicholas W.; Pacifici, Krishna
Effects of temperature and precipitation on wild turkey brood survival in the southeastern United States Journal Article
In: Wildlife Society Bulletin, vol. 49, no. S1, pp. e70003, 2025, ISSN: 2328-5540, 2328-5540.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bird, brood survival, climate change, Meleagris gallopavo, precipitation, temperature, Wild Turkey
@article{boone_effects_2025,
title = {Effects of temperature and precipitation on wild turkey brood survival in the southeastern United States},
author = {Wesley W. Boone and Christopher E. Moorman and David J. Moscicki and Bret A. Collier and Michael J. Chamberlain and Adam J. Terando and John C. Kilgo and Nicholas W. Bakner and Krishna Pacifici},
url = {https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.70003},
doi = {10.1002/wsb.70003},
issn = {2328-5540, 2328-5540},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-01},
urldate = {2025-12-17},
journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
volume = {49},
number = {S1},
pages = {e70003},
abstract = {Abstract
Climate change is altering annual recruitment and influencing the trajectory of wildlife populations. The effect of climate change on recruitment varies among wildlife species, making implications difficult to generalize, necessitating species‐specific assessments. Assessment is especially important for investigating implications of future climate change for populations currently in decline, such as the eastern wild turkey (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
). We evaluated how variation in weather and plant phenology affected wild turkey brood survival by monitoring 257 broods across the southeastern United States during 2014\textendash2022. Average daily low temperature, average daily precipitation, maximum single‐day precipitation, and proximity to green‐up date did not predict daily brood survival. Although we documented no support for weather effects on wild turkey brood survival, additional work is likely needed to assess how climate change will influence other factors that indirectly influence brood survival and subsequent recruitment, including availability of food and cover resources.},
keywords = {bird, brood survival, climate change, Meleagris gallopavo, precipitation, temperature, Wild Turkey},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Climate change is altering annual recruitment and influencing the trajectory of wildlife populations. The effect of climate change on recruitment varies among wildlife species, making implications difficult to generalize, necessitating species‐specific assessments. Assessment is especially important for investigating implications of future climate change for populations currently in decline, such as the eastern wild turkey (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
). We evaluated how variation in weather and plant phenology affected wild turkey brood survival by monitoring 257 broods across the southeastern United States during 2014–2022. Average daily low temperature, average daily precipitation, maximum single‐day precipitation, and proximity to green‐up date did not predict daily brood survival. Although we documented no support for weather effects on wild turkey brood survival, additional work is likely needed to assess how climate change will influence other factors that indirectly influence brood survival and subsequent recruitment, including availability of food and cover resources.
Climate change is altering annual recruitment and influencing the trajectory of wildlife populations. The effect of climate change on recruitment varies among wildlife species, making implications difficult to generalize, necessitating species‐specific assessments. Assessment is especially important for investigating implications of future climate change for populations currently in decline, such as the eastern wild turkey (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
). We evaluated how variation in weather and plant phenology affected wild turkey brood survival by monitoring 257 broods across the southeastern United States during 2014–2022. Average daily low temperature, average daily precipitation, maximum single‐day precipitation, and proximity to green‐up date did not predict daily brood survival. Although we documented no support for weather effects on wild turkey brood survival, additional work is likely needed to assess how climate change will influence other factors that indirectly influence brood survival and subsequent recruitment, including availability of food and cover resources.
Wightman, Patrick H.; Gulotta, Nick A.; Cohen, Bradley S.; Collier, Bret A.; Chamberlain, Michael J.
Investigating diel patterns of predation events in wild turkeys using tri‐axial accelerometer data Journal Article
In: Wildlife Society Bulletin, vol. 49, no. S1, pp. e1631, 2025, ISSN: 2328-5540, 2328-5540.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, bird, diel cycle, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, mortality, predation, Wild Turkey
@article{wightman_investigating_2025,
title = {Investigating diel patterns of predation events in wild turkeys using tri‐axial accelerometer data},
author = {Patrick H. Wightman and Nick A. Gulotta and Bradley S. Cohen and Bret A. Collier and Michael J. Chamberlain},
url = {https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1631},
doi = {10.1002/wsb.1631},
issn = {2328-5540, 2328-5540},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-01},
urldate = {2025-12-17},
journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
volume = {49},
number = {S1},
pages = {e1631},
abstract = {Abstract
Numerous studies have evaluated the species responsible for predation events on birds and their nests, but little research has assessed the location and timing of mortality events. Describing the location and timing of mortality events in birds facilitates improved inference and supports a more rigorous understanding of predator‐prey dynamics. To better understand predation on eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris;
hereafter, wild turkeys), we used a combination of GPS spatial data and tri‐axial accelerometer data to investigate the timing and location of predation events. We monitored 477 female and 215 male wild turkeys during 2022\textendash2024. We identified 154 predation events on 126 females and 28 males. We found that for females, 43% of mortalities occurred at night while ground roosting, 32% of mortalities occurred during the day, and 24% occurred at night while tree roosting. Furthermore, we observed that 96% and 81% of predation events during nesting and brooding, respectively, occurred at night for females. Predation events during nesting and brooding peaked and remained consistent throughout the night but decreased during the day. For males, we found that 57% of mortalities occurred during the day whereas 43% occurred at night while roosting. There was no discernible pattern in predation while males were roosting throughout the annual cycle, but predation events on the ground increased in March, peaked in April, and declined in May. Our results indicate that predation risk profiles are sex specific and vary based on phenological cycle. The effect of predation on ground‐nesting females is well‐documented, with management strategies historically focused on increasing vegetation cover, which is assumed to reduce predation. However, predation on males and females while tree roosting presents a challenging topic, as research and management intervention options remain limited.},
keywords = {accelerometer, bird, diel cycle, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, mortality, predation, Wild Turkey},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Numerous studies have evaluated the species responsible for predation events on birds and their nests, but little research has assessed the location and timing of mortality events. Describing the location and timing of mortality events in birds facilitates improved inference and supports a more rigorous understanding of predator‐prey dynamics. To better understand predation on eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris;
hereafter, wild turkeys), we used a combination of GPS spatial data and tri‐axial accelerometer data to investigate the timing and location of predation events. We monitored 477 female and 215 male wild turkeys during 2022–2024. We identified 154 predation events on 126 females and 28 males. We found that for females, 43% of mortalities occurred at night while ground roosting, 32% of mortalities occurred during the day, and 24% occurred at night while tree roosting. Furthermore, we observed that 96% and 81% of predation events during nesting and brooding, respectively, occurred at night for females. Predation events during nesting and brooding peaked and remained consistent throughout the night but decreased during the day. For males, we found that 57% of mortalities occurred during the day whereas 43% occurred at night while roosting. There was no discernible pattern in predation while males were roosting throughout the annual cycle, but predation events on the ground increased in March, peaked in April, and declined in May. Our results indicate that predation risk profiles are sex specific and vary based on phenological cycle. The effect of predation on ground‐nesting females is well‐documented, with management strategies historically focused on increasing vegetation cover, which is assumed to reduce predation. However, predation on males and females while tree roosting presents a challenging topic, as research and management intervention options remain limited.
Numerous studies have evaluated the species responsible for predation events on birds and their nests, but little research has assessed the location and timing of mortality events. Describing the location and timing of mortality events in birds facilitates improved inference and supports a more rigorous understanding of predator‐prey dynamics. To better understand predation on eastern wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris;
hereafter, wild turkeys), we used a combination of GPS spatial data and tri‐axial accelerometer data to investigate the timing and location of predation events. We monitored 477 female and 215 male wild turkeys during 2022–2024. We identified 154 predation events on 126 females and 28 males. We found that for females, 43% of mortalities occurred at night while ground roosting, 32% of mortalities occurred during the day, and 24% occurred at night while tree roosting. Furthermore, we observed that 96% and 81% of predation events during nesting and brooding, respectively, occurred at night for females. Predation events during nesting and brooding peaked and remained consistent throughout the night but decreased during the day. For males, we found that 57% of mortalities occurred during the day whereas 43% occurred at night while roosting. There was no discernible pattern in predation while males were roosting throughout the annual cycle, but predation events on the ground increased in March, peaked in April, and declined in May. Our results indicate that predation risk profiles are sex specific and vary based on phenological cycle. The effect of predation on ground‐nesting females is well‐documented, with management strategies historically focused on increasing vegetation cover, which is assumed to reduce predation. However, predation on males and females while tree roosting presents a challenging topic, as research and management intervention options remain limited.
Sidiropoulos, Lavrentis; Whitfield, D. Philip; Bounas, Anastasios; Kret, Elzbieta; Navarrete, Elisabeth; Vafeidis, Panagiotis; Doukas, Dimitrios; Michalopoulou, Panagiota; Zakkak, Sylvia; Kati, Vassiliki
Poisoned baits drive record golden eagle mortality in northern Greece: A call for urgent conservation actions Journal Article
In: Biological Conservation, vol. 308, pp. 111223, 2025, ISSN: 00063207.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Aquila chrysaetos, Bird Solar, Bird Solar Cellular, Golden Eagle
@article{sidiropoulos_poisoned_2025,
title = {Poisoned baits drive record golden eagle mortality in northern Greece: A call for urgent conservation actions},
author = {Lavrentis Sidiropoulos and D. Philip Whitfield and Anastasios Bounas and Elzbieta Kret and Elisabeth Navarrete and Panagiotis Vafeidis and Dimitrios Doukas and Panagiota Michalopoulou and Sylvia Zakkak and Vassiliki Kati},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006320725002605},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111223},
issn = {00063207},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-01},
urldate = {2025-09-16},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {308},
pages = {111223},
abstract = {Despite an overall recovery of European large raptor populations, the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population in Greece is Endangered. Poisoning from baits set illegally for carnivore control is known as an important mortality factor, impacting a wider avian scavenger assemblage in our study area. We analysed golden eagle mortality data from northern Greece for the last 35 years, including the fates of 29 satellite-tagged individuals from the last decade. Poisoning accounted for 65 % of the overall mortality, the highest percentage recorded globally for any eagle population. Known fate survival models from telemetry data revealed 0.78 and 0.85 annual survival rates for immature and adults, respectively (the lowest reported in telemetry studies), improving markedly when censored for poisoning mortality. Poisoning occurred disproportionally close to protected areas, more often in areas with high carnivore livestock depredation and almost exclusively in winter when eagles were more likely to scavenge. Golden eagles were usually poisoned by directly feeding on carcasses and offal baits laced predominantly with illegal toxic substances (e.g. carbofuran and methomyl). Electrocution was the second cause of mortality, and collision with turbines was also recorded. The main conservation implication of our findings is that urgent policy changes are required to reverse the population's decline, mainly against the illegal use of poisoned baits and across prevention, legislative and enforcement levels. We propose specific measures towards this direction, such as improving livestock husbandry, further capacity building for wildlife crime investigation and reforms in relevant legislation.},
keywords = {Aquila chrysaetos, Bird Solar, Bird Solar Cellular, Golden Eagle},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Despite an overall recovery of European large raptor populations, the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population in Greece is Endangered. Poisoning from baits set illegally for carnivore control is known as an important mortality factor, impacting a wider avian scavenger assemblage in our study area. We analysed golden eagle mortality data from northern Greece for the last 35 years, including the fates of 29 satellite-tagged individuals from the last decade. Poisoning accounted for 65 % of the overall mortality, the highest percentage recorded globally for any eagle population. Known fate survival models from telemetry data revealed 0.78 and 0.85 annual survival rates for immature and adults, respectively (the lowest reported in telemetry studies), improving markedly when censored for poisoning mortality. Poisoning occurred disproportionally close to protected areas, more often in areas with high carnivore livestock depredation and almost exclusively in winter when eagles were more likely to scavenge. Golden eagles were usually poisoned by directly feeding on carcasses and offal baits laced predominantly with illegal toxic substances (e.g. carbofuran and methomyl). Electrocution was the second cause of mortality, and collision with turbines was also recorded. The main conservation implication of our findings is that urgent policy changes are required to reverse the population's decline, mainly against the illegal use of poisoned baits and across prevention, legislative and enforcement levels. We propose specific measures towards this direction, such as improving livestock husbandry, further capacity building for wildlife crime investigation and reforms in relevant legislation.
2022
Magowan, E. A.; Maguire, I. E.; Smith, S.; Redpath, S.; Marks, N. J.; Wilson, R. P.; Menzies, F.; O’Hagan, M.; Scantlebury, D. M.
Dead-reckoning elucidates fine-scale habitat use by European badgers Meles meles Journal Article
In: Animal Biotelemetry, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 10, 2022, ISSN: 2050-3385.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Badger, dead reckoning, Dead-reckoning, Distance travelled, european badgers, gps, Home-range, Logger, Movement, Tuberculosis
@article{magowan_dead-reckoning_2022,
title = {Dead-reckoning elucidates fine-scale habitat use by European badgers Meles meles},
author = {E. A. Magowan and I. E. Maguire and S. Smith and S. Redpath and N. J. Marks and R. P. Wilson and F. Menzies and M. O’Hagan and D. M. Scantlebury},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-022-00282-2},
doi = {10.1186/s40317-022-00282-2},
issn = {2050-3385},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-01},
urldate = {2026-03-21},
journal = {Animal Biotelemetry},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {10},
abstract = {Recent developments in both hardware and software of animal-borne data loggers now enable large amounts of data to be collected on both animal movement and behaviour. In particular, the combined use of tri-axial accelerometers, tri-axial magnetometers and GPS loggers enables animal tracks to be elucidated using a procedure of ‘dead-reckoning’. Although this approach was first suggested 30 years ago by Wilson et al. (1991), surprisingly few measurements have been made in free-ranging terrestrial animals. The current study examines movements, interactions with habitat features, and home-ranges calculated from just GPS data and also from dead-reckoned data in a model terrestrial mammal, the European badger (Meles meles).},
keywords = {accelerometer, Badger, dead reckoning, Dead-reckoning, Distance travelled, european badgers, gps, Home-range, Logger, Movement, Tuberculosis},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Recent developments in both hardware and software of animal-borne data loggers now enable large amounts of data to be collected on both animal movement and behaviour. In particular, the combined use of tri-axial accelerometers, tri-axial magnetometers and GPS loggers enables animal tracks to be elucidated using a procedure of ‘dead-reckoning’. Although this approach was first suggested 30 years ago by Wilson et al. (1991), surprisingly few measurements have been made in free-ranging terrestrial animals. The current study examines movements, interactions with habitat features, and home-ranges calculated from just GPS data and also from dead-reckoned data in a model terrestrial mammal, the European badger (Meles meles).
0000
0000.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: accelerometer, Collar 1A, Elusive, Mammal
@misc{noauthor_gps-tracking_nodate,
title = {GPS-tracking of two domestic cats in Sierra Nevada, southeastern Spain / Seguimiento GPS de dos gatos dom\'{e}sticos en Sierra Nevada, sureste de Espa\~{n}a},
url = {https://secem.es/galemys/galemys-38-2026-a1},
urldate = {2026-04-22},
journal = {SECEM},
keywords = {accelerometer, Collar 1A, Elusive, Mammal},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}
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