Reproductive effort and survival of wild Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors, with backpack harness and implant transmitters

Nesting effort (proportion of females nesting), survival, and abandonment rates were compared of female blue-winged teal (Anas discors) marked with backpack harness vs. surgically implanted transmitters. Nesting effort was measured by capturing pre-laying females, applying a backpack or implant radio, and using telemetry to locate nests. A significantly greater proportion of implanted females (6 of 6) nested compared to backpack-marked females (3 of 8). Also compared were effects of implant and backpack tramsmitters when given to females captured on the nest during laying or early incubation. Two of five nesting females given implants during laying then abandoned, whereas no females given backpacks abandoned. No difference was detected in daily survival rates of females with implants and backpacks.