Follow the Cock-of-the-rock!

After four days of effort, the GEPOG team managed to capture a male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock on the 13th June 2011. This is what happened.

"The individual was caught in one of the nets set next to some painted wooden models in a lek. Using the method of M. Marc Théry (researcher with the CNRS) whom we thank for having made the journey from Paris, a VHF transmitter was fixed onto the bird’s back, thus enabling us to follow its movements on Kaw Mountain.

Pose de bagues sur un coq de roche orange, G. Feuillet

In addition, biometric measures were taken and coloured rings and MNHN were fitted, allowing us to identify this individual visually and to follow the population to which it belongs. So now we are following it on a continuous basis with considerable interest, with the help of volunteers.

Émetteur sur le dos du coq, G. Feuillet

For a week now its position has been identified by triangulation every 15 minutes from 8h00 à 17h00 by two teams each equipped with an aerial and a radio receiver. Whenever the bird is actually sighted its behaviour, the type of vegetation where it is seen, etc., are all noted.

This tracking will be maintained for another two weeks until the transmitter drops off."

Alizée Ricardou, Leader of the Cock-of-the-rock project for GEPOG.

More to follow!