Radio transmitters bias estimation of movements and survival

Tested whether radio transmitter size (14 vs 18-22 g) and signal strength (1-stage vs. 2-stage) had any effect on estimates of survival, movement, or home range of female greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido. Birds wearing heavier 2-stage solar transmitters, with twice the reflective surface, had lower annual survival than birds wearing the lighter transmitter. In two of three seasons, estimates of daily movements, within-day movements, and seasonal ranges were larger for birds equipped with the more powerful 2-stage transmitters. -from Authors