Reporting Difference for Colored Patagial Tags on Ring-Billed Gulls

Thomas W. Seamans; Scott Beckerman; John Hartmann; James A. Rader; Bradley F. Blackwell

doi:10.2193/2009-304

1 November 2010 Reporting Difference for Colored Patagial Tags on Ring-Billed Gulls

Thomas W. Seamans, Scott Beckerman, John Hartmann, James A. Rader, Bradley F. Blackwell

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J. of Wildlife Management, 74(8):1926-1930 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2193/2009-304

Abstract

The possible role of tag color in mediating behaviors that could bias resighting rate has not been examined. In a study that began in 2007, we marked 725 ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) with Bondcote royal blue, green, yellow, or orange patagial tags. Reports we gathered over 2 years indicated approximately a 3.4∶1 bias in resighting rate toward yellow or orange tags. The observed bias is inconsistent with color-associated visibility bias or differential mortality among color-tagged breeding adults. Potential behavioral effects of tag color on individuals and conspecifics should be considered by biologists when planning marking studies.

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Thomas W. Seamans, Scott Beckerman, John Hartmann, James A. Rader, and Bradley F. Blackwell "Reporting Difference for Colored Patagial Tags on Ring-Billed Gulls," Journal of Wildlife Management 74(8), 1926-1930, (1 November 2010). https://doi.org/10.2193/2009-304

Published: 1 November 2010

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