Device to track small native birds

New Zealand's small native birds will soon be able to be tracked, thanks to tiny devices being developed at the University of Otago physics department.

Student Keith Payne, who has an interest in both birds and electronics, has been involved in the development of two types of devices using cellphone and GPS technology which are "extra light" and could be carried by various types of birds.

One uses cellphone technology which enables animals to be tracked anywhere covered by cellphone reception.

The other involves using newly developed GPS algorithms in a way which meant much lower-power tracking devices could be used.

"It's a big step forward as the lower the power, the smaller the battery."

Tagging was commonly used as it enabled scientists to learn a lot about animals, but with birds it had been restricted by the units' size and weight, he said. It was also costly to track data using an antenna system.

These units transmitted data back to a base station at the physics department, where it was automatically processed and available on computer.

As the Department of Conservation recommended tracking units be no heavier than 3% of the animal's bodyweight, they had worked hard to get the units down to 18g and 5g-7g, he said.

The work on the prototypes had required a "steady hand, accurate eyesight and a lot of patience".

So far, the units had been tested only on runners and cyclists, but Mr Payne hoped to have units ready for field trials by the end of the year.

Interest in the units had been strong, with the Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (Wellington) and the Brown Teal Recovery Group (North Island) considering taking part in trials.

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz