Abstract
Scientists often use tiny tools to study wild animals. These tools can show where animals go and how they move. But if the tools aren’t safe for the animals, then we aren’t doing our job properly!
We studied Black-throated Mango hummingbirds in Colombia. These birds are small, fast, and full of energy. We wanted to know if wearing a tiny radio backpack changed how they spent their time.
Each bird had a tiny ID chip, like a name tag. We tested each bird in two ways. The first time, the bird wore the radio backpack. The second time, it did not. The clearest change in the birds’ behavior was preening. Birds with backpacks used their beaks to touch or pull at the straps more often. Birds with backpacks also flew a little less and ate a little more, but those results were not as consistent. No birds got caught in plants while wearing the backpack.
Our study shows that scientists should test tracking tools with great care before using them in the wild.
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