Consequences of antenna design in telemetry studies of small passerines.

Entanglement and mortality of Palila (Loxioides bailleui), an endangered Ha waiian honeycreeper, occurred when birds were radio-tagged with transmitter s equipped with a long, limp, solder-tipped antenna. Birds were found suspe nded in trees by their transmitter antenna on eight occasions. Although the se birds eventually freed themselves or were freed by us, at least one bird died afterwards. For radio telemetry studies of small passerine species we recommend avoiding transmitters equipped with an antenna that is bulbous a t the tip, >16 cm in length, limp, and shiny.