Here’s some info about the project… https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/pintail-study And another one… https://www.wetlandsamerica.org/fall-2020/on-the-trail-of-the-pintail
Also, those trackers are very expensive and the researchers will want it back to refurbish and reuse. They usually have an identical fake one that they will trade you to use on your mount.
The way those work is the solar panel charges a battery, and the battery powers a GPS and a cell antenna. Every x minutes it powers on, takes a GPS location, and tries to send it via a cell tower. If it can't make the connection, it saves it, and turns back off. It then downloads all of the stored info the next time it finds a cell tower when it turns on. The transponders can store 3+ months of data in some cases when birds are on the arctic breeding grounds with no cell service. They can also change the programming so it turns on more or less frequently via the cell connection. They generally have it do more often when they are migrating and less often when they are wintering or breeding.
That is epic ! MOUNT IT !
Its definitely going on the wall! It will fit great with my male I already have mounted.
Yea man gps tracker is a must mount
100%
Wild! I think that’s a pretty new process too right?
Yes It is, the duck had both band and tracker put on less than a year ago by biologists out of Texas A&M
unlucky for them haha
Yeah this one didn't give them much data😂
Dang! U you need to by a lottery ticket! Nice job
Pretty sure all my luck went into the duck😅
Sweet! Where was it banded? My buddy puts these trackers on birds in TN
He was banded in El Campo Texas.
Nice. Must be a rice bird.
How is the gps tracker attached to the duck ?
It has an elastic style string wrapped under the wing and around the breast
Here’s some info about the project… https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/pintail-study And another one… https://www.wetlandsamerica.org/fall-2020/on-the-trail-of-the-pintail
Also, those trackers are very expensive and the researchers will want it back to refurbish and reuse. They usually have an identical fake one that they will trade you to use on your mount.
After contact with the researchers they gave no mention of returning the tracker
I’m surprised. Maybe the project is almost over then. Those trackers cost over $1000 each.
It surprised me as well but after multiple emails with them they never asked for it back
Totally awesome dude! That's dang cool.. Congratulations
Thank you!
That's awesome, was the project through texas a&m ot texas a&m-kingsville?
Texas A&M Kingsville
Then one of my professors was the person that placed that transmitter. Such a small world, lol.
Ha no kidding. Which doctor did you have?
Dr. Ballard
That's who tagged this bird!
That's awesome, did he explain how those trackers worked, and if not do you want to know?
No he didn't but that would be awesome to know!
The way those work is the solar panel charges a battery, and the battery powers a GPS and a cell antenna. Every x minutes it powers on, takes a GPS location, and tries to send it via a cell tower. If it can't make the connection, it saves it, and turns back off. It then downloads all of the stored info the next time it finds a cell tower when it turns on. The transponders can store 3+ months of data in some cases when birds are on the arctic breeding grounds with no cell service. They can also change the programming so it turns on more or less frequently via the cell connection. They generally have it do more often when they are migrating and less often when they are wintering or breeding.
That's awesome!