VHF Avian Tags for smaller species

• Strong signal strength for their size
• Successfully used for decades
• Choose Tag life versus Signal Strength
• Many customisations possible to suit the vast array of wonderful small creatures you would like to track

While GPS and other technologies reduce labour costs, there are times when those technologies simply don’t work.  For example, if animals do not get clear views of the sky then GPS locations may be infrequent or even unobtainable, or the data may not be transmitted far enough.  Moreover, most of our Pip and PicoPip tags are lighter than any GPS tag, allowing smaller species to be studied.

VHF tags allow you to find the your tagged individual in the field which can be important, for example

1. to be more exact about the habitat they are using, or find out exactly what they are doing there
2. if trying to find a nesting bird,
3. to find a freshly dead animal to establish cause of death
4. or simply to find animals under cover.

They are therefore ideal for looking at local home-range movements, survival and sociality.

The traditional beeper VHF has advantages over coded VHF when tracking manually; you can tune to an individual frequency and not have interference from other tags, plus the tags pulse quicker which makes direction finding much easier.  Nevertheless, they can still be logged using our SRX receivers.

VHF tags require a receiver and antenna to track the tag.

Case Studies

Ryder TB, McDonald DB, Blake JG, Parker PG, Loiselle BA. Social networks in the lek-mating wire-tailed manakin (Pipra filicauda). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2008;275(1641):1367-1374. doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.0205.

Davorin, T., Denac, D. (2011), Survival and development of predator avoidance in the post-fledging period of the Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra): consequences for conservation measures. Journal of Ornithology. doi:10.1007/s10336-011-0713-2.

Radio-tracking an Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)

1. Minimum weight. Tags for some species require extra protection or range that can increase the weight.
2. Maximum life based on pulse length 15 ms and pulse rate 30 pulses per minute at 25°C

Models available in a variety of custom configurations. Please contact a Lotek Telemetry Specialist to discuss your needs.

Here you’ll find product resources including software applications, manuals, quick-start guides and spec sheets. For any questions, please contact us.