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People How to make RFID leg bands for birds
Publications For more information contact Eli Bridge - ebridge@ou.edu.
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This page describes a technique for manufacturing RFID leg bands for birds of virtually all sizes using
RESEARCH inexpensive heat shrink material. DISCLAIMER: The bands described here have only recently
been deployed in the field. Although the materials are very durable, there are no long-term
Painted Bunting Migration
data to verify that they will last for the lifetime of a bird.
Purple Martin Phenology
Grassland Bird Conservation The bands described here are made from semi-rigid PVC
MIGRATE heat-shrink tubing (a product designed for insulating electrical
wiring). The material shown on this website use can be
TECHNOLOGY ordered from Electro Insulation Corporation
(www.electroinsulation.com) by calling 1-800-247-2114.
Radio Frequency ID.
Various sizes and colors are available. The specific item
Geolocation Devices number will be something like "P.125CLSU", where the
TAGS Geolocation Analysis number is the inner diameter of the tubing before shrinking
Radar Aeroecology (1/8" in this example), and the letters that follow the number
Stable Isotope Ratio indicate the color ("CL" = "Clear" in this case). The photos
below show clear material which is good for illustrating band
Follow Aeroecology on construction.
http://animalmigration.org/RFID/RFIDBands.htm 1/3
06/07/2017 Animal Migration Research, Jeff Kelly Lab
http://animalmigration.org/RFID/RFIDBands.htm 2/3
06/07/2017 Animal Migration Research, Jeff Kelly Lab
DEPLOYING BANDS
To attach a band to a bird, simply wrap the band
around the bird's tarsus making sure that the
outer piece of tubing remains on the outside.
Apply some glue to the free side of the inner
band, and press the outer band against the inner
such that the inner band is completely closed.
Hold the band closed in this manner for about a
minute, and you are done. The band should have
enough tack to hold itself shut after one minute,
but if possible, I recommend hanging onto the bird
for at least three more minutes before letting it go.
http://animalmigration.org/RFID/RFIDBands.htm 3/3