Unprecendented view of White-crowned Pigeon movements

First satellite telemetry data received from White-crowned Pigeons
For the first time ever, we can study the movements of White-crowned Pigeons through satellite tracking technology. ARCI is partnering with many Caribbean partners in this range-wide study. We have been receiving excellent telemetry data from the two White-crowned Pigeons we recently fitted with 5-gram satellite transmitters in the lower Florida Keys. These transmitters, made by Microwave Telemetry, Inc., are the smallest of their kind.

Cudjoe and West
Cudjoe and West are the first White-crowned Pigeons to be tracked by satellite.

Cudjoe was tagged on 18 August 2013 on Cudjoe Key. For nearly a month, she made daily foraging trips that included the island’s southeast corner and several small nearby islands—an area less than two miles wide. Recently, however, Cudjoe started ranging farther east to Summerland Key. Does this indicate that migration is about to begin?

West was tagged on 4 September 2013 on Stock Island at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. His movements also covered several adjacent islands within an area similar in size to Cudjoe’s activity range. Like Cudjoe, West has made longer daily excursions in recent days.

Partners and Supporters
This project, funded by the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), is a collaboration with the Refuge’s Senior Wildlife Biologist Tom Wilmers and part of a range-wide study with many Caribbean partners. We thank Refuge Manager Nancy Finley for her critical support; and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, Deb Curlee, Jim Platt and Bev and Mike Welber for providing access and assistance.

Movements of satellite-tracked White-crowned Pigeons in the lower Florida Keys.