Effects of Backpack Radio-Transmitters on Female Barrow’s Goldeneyes

Abstract We compared time-budgets and return rates of breeding female Barrow’s Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) fitted, or not, with transmitters attached with backpack harnesses in 2001-2004 in southern Quebec. We compared the mean proportion of time devoted to feeding, locomotion, alert, resting, preening, and maintenance (i.e., resting plus preening) by females observed ≥200 min. Females with backpacks (N = 5) spent significantly less time feeding (x ± SE: 25 ± 5% versus 43 ± 3%) and more time in maintenance activities (51 ± 6% versus 31 ± 4%) than females without transmitters (N = 6). Mean time devoted to other behavior did not differ significantly. Upon release, females appeared disturbed with the backpack, actively bathing, preening and/or flapping wings. Of the females with transmitters observed ≥200 min, three spent 4%, 8%, and 57% of their preening time at their transmitter, antennae or harness. None of the 16 females harnessed in 2001-2003 were recaptured in nest boxes or seen again on the study...