TELEMETRIC EGG FOR MONITORING NEST MICROCLIMATE OF ENDANGERED BIRDS

Abstract

A series of artificial eggs has been developed for the New York Zoological Society to measure conditions in the nest of the white-naped crane (Grus Vipio). Investigations undertaken at the Bronx Zoo have endeavored to improve artificial incubation of the eggs of endangered species of birds. Artificial eggs were constructed and camouflaged so that a pair of birds would accept and incubate them. Inside each counterfeit egg, a radio telemetry transmitter was hidden to report on the temperature and humidity in the nest and the orientation of the egg itself with respect to gravity.