Document Type

Professional Conference

Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Abstract

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology can be effectively utilized to gain insights into animal behavior, such as avian responses to environmental change. In our established field system of free-living European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), we sought to implement a new system of RFID readers with antennas encircling the entrances of bird boxes and RFID leg bands with unique identifiers that record when birds pass through the antennas. To limit costs, we used Arduino RFID readers built by Eli Bridge and Jay Wilhelm and constructed the rest of the system components ourselves. We designed and 3D printed a new device to efficiently coil copper wire antennas of the right diameter, which we weatherproofed using Plastidip. We constructed custom RFID bands out of passive integrated transponder tags and heat-shrink tubing. In our first pilot year of data collection, we outfitted n=41 adults and n=40 chicks with RFID leg bands and collected data from 13 different nest boxes. These data demonstrate that the system can be used effectively to gather data on parental provisioning behavior and nestling fledge dates, but further optimization is needed to provide more consistent results. Necessary improvements include optimizing battery usage and increasing component durability. Moving forward, we plan to continue improving the system while maintaining its affordability and are currently exploring how to convert RFID readers to run on a cost-effective solar power source.

Awardee Name

Raedan Stephens

Academic Major

Biological Engineering & Computer Science

Project Mentor

Christine Lattin

Download

Share

COinS