Influence of Radio Collars on Survival of Sharp-Tailed Grouse

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Abstract
We assessed effects of radio collars on survival of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) in western Idaho [USA] during 1983-86. Thirty-eight grouse were colorbanded and equipped with radio collars, and 9 were colorbanded only. Four nonradioed grouse were the only marked birds resighted 1 year following capture. Radio collars did not restrict flight but altered the appearance, sound in flight, and perhaps the behavior of grouse. Avian predators caused most of the mortality and probably preyed on radio-collared birds selectively. Timing of mortality coincided with spring and autumn dancing periods, presence of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in the study area, and seasonal lows in vegetative cover. Despite poor survival of radio-collared grouse, we detected no decline in the population.

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