01899nas a2200301 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133300001200202490000700214520102700221653002201248653001601270653002201286653002601308653002401334100001501358700001501373700001901388700002001407700001801427700001901445700001401464700001701478700001801495700002101513700001701534856004601551 2011 eng d00aTechnology on the Move: Recent and Forthcoming Innovations for Tracking Migratory Birds0 aTechnology on the Move Recent and Forthcoming Innovations for Tr a689-6980 v613 a
Basic questions about the life histories of migratory birds have confounded scientists for generations, yet we are nearing an era of historic discovery as new tracking technologies make it possible to determine the timing and routes of an increasing number of bird migrations. Tracking small flying animals as they travel over continental-scale distances is a difficult logistical and engineering challenge. Although no tracking system works well with all species, improvements to traditional technologies, such as satellite tracking, along with innovations related to global positioning systems, cellular networks, solar geolocation, radar, and information technology are improving our understanding of when and where birds go during their annual cycles and informing numerous scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology, population ecology, and global change. The recent developments described in this article will help us answer many long-standing questions about animal behavior and life histories.
10acellular tracking10ageolocators10aradar ornithology10asatellite transmitter10atracking technology1 aBridge, E.1 aThorup, K.1 aBowlin, M., S.1 aChilson, P., B.1 aDiehl, R., H.1 aFleron, R., W.1 aHartl, P.1 aKays, R., W.1 aKelly, J., F.1 aRobinson, W., D.1 aWikelski, M. uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1525/bio.2011.61.9.7