Sensor Housings for Avian Harnesses

VSI Harness housing attached to Ibis sp. during flight, a group of Ibis are seen in the back. The photo was taken from a ultralight plane
VSI sensor housing attached to Ibis sp. during migration, (C) Anne Schmalstieg

Various external attachment techniques have been developed that indirectly attach transmitters to birds via a neck collar, backpack, harness or leg band. Neck collars and backpacks generally have excellent transmitter retention (often for the life of the bird). Various harness designs are available that provide better fits to particular species because poorly fitting harnesses may cause abrasions or impede wing movement. In addition, the design of a sensor housing, attached to the harness via a base plate, must often be adapted to specific species and the requirements set by the applied sensors, i.a. in terms of size and antenna positions. 

 

Please contact us to discuss your needs in sensor housings for avian harnesses. For adaptation to available sensors and harnesses, a detailed 3D-model or a hands-on test are strongly advisable. 

VSI Avian Sensor 'Housings'

Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice

Selected Readings on External AttAchments for Birds

  • Chan, Y.-C., et al. (2016). "Testing an attachment method for solar-powered tracking devices on a long-distance migrating shorebird." Journal of Ornithology 157(1): 277-287 
  • Lewis, T. L. and P. L. Flint (2008). "Modified method for external attachment of transmitters to birds using two subcutaneous anchors." Journal of Field Ornithology 79(3): 336-341
  • Tomotani, B. M., et al. (2019). "Carrying a logger reduces escape flight speed in a passerine bird, but relative logger mass may be a misleading measure of this flight performance detriment." Methods in Ecology and Evolution 10(1): 70-79
  • Vandenabeele, S. P. (2013). Avian rucksacks for science: in search for minimum-impact tagging procedures for birds, Swansea University (United Kingdom)