Bird Tracking and Biologging Devices for Avian Research
Bird tracking devices help researchers investigate migration, movement ecology, behaviour, habitat use and social interactions across a wide range of avian species. Effective bird GPS tracking, however, requires more than selecting a small logger. Body size, flight behaviour, habitat, attachment method, deployment duration and power availability can all influence the final configuration. At TechnoSmArt, we develop customizable animal tracking and bird biologging systems for species ranging from small passerines to raptors, waterfowl, seabirds and diving birds.Available technologies include GPS tracking, tri-axial acceleration, proximity logging, magnetometry, temperature and pressure sensing, light, CO₂ and wet/dry sensors.
Depending on device size and power budget, data-retrieval options can include archival storage, UHF remote download, LTE connectivity and Iridium satellite communication. Selected systems can also use solar charging.
Attachment is a key part of every avian tracking project. Our devices can use TESA tape attachments for seabirds, backpack harnesses, leg-loop harnesses, glue-on systems and other species-specific attachment methods.
Device shape, housing, battery, antenna and attachment system can all be adapted to the target species and field protocol.
For weight-sensitive applications, our smallest configurations can start from approximately 0.9 g while combining GPS, tri-axial acceleration, proximity functions, UHF communication and solar charging. TechnoSmArt systems can support studies on seabirds, shorebirds, waders, raptors, waterfowl, passerines, gulls and terns, pelagic birds, colonial waterbirds, herons, egrets, owls, gamebirds and many other avian taxa.
Choose the Right Device
Choosing the right bird tracking device requires a balance between body mass, biological objectives and field conditions.
Researchers should consider:
- target species
- device mass
- attachment method
- habitat
- GPS exposure
- deployment duration
- required sensors
- power budget
- recovery probability
- data-retrieval method
For very small birds, device mass and power consumption may represent the main constraints. Seabird studies may instead require waterproof housings, pressure sensors and wet/dry sensing. Long-range communication through LTE or Iridium generally requires more power and antenna space than ultra-light UHF systems and is therefore more suitable for configurations where the available size and energy budget permit it.
| Device | Weight | Sensors | Data retrieval | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gipsy 6 | from 1.5 g | GPS | Archival | Small birds, weight-critical GPS studies |
| Gipsy Remote | from 2 g | GPS | UHF remote | Birds returning to colonies, nests or roosts |
| Axy-Trek Mini | from 4.5 g | GPS + accelerometer (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Combined movement + behaviour |
| Axy-Trek Remote | from 10 g | GPS + accelerometer (+ optional sensors) | UHF remote | Breeding colonies and repeated remote data retrieval |
| Axy-Trek Marine | from 14 g | GPS + accelerometer + pressure/temperature (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Seabirds and diving species, up to 300 m |
| Axy-Trek Marine HD | from 45 g | GPS + accelerometer + pressure/temperature (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Deep-diving species, up to 1,000 m |
| Axy 5 S | from 4.5 g | Accelerometer + magnetometer + temperature (no GPS) | Archival | Behavioural classification, longer deployments |
| Axy 5 XS | from 1 g | Accelerometer + magnetometer + temperature (no GPS) | Archival | Behavioural studies on very small birds |
| Proximity | from 0.8 g | UHF proximity logging | Cable / Base Station | Social interactions and contact networks |
The Base Station is not a tracking device. It is the fixed receiver used with compatible Remote devices for automatic UHF data retrieval when tagged birds return within communication range.
Explore Our Bird Tracking and Biologging Devices
Compare GPS loggers, remote-download systems, accelerometer biologgers and multi-sensor solutions for avian research.
Bird Tracking and Biologging Technologies
Small birds
Small bird GPS tracking requires extremely lightweight electronics, efficient power management and careful optimization of recording schedules.
Zero Trek represents our most compact integrated solution and can start from approximately 0.9 g. Configurations can combine GPS, tri-axial acceleration, proximity logging, UHF remote communication and solar charging.
Other lightweight solutions include archival and UHF-enabled GPS systems for birds that regularly return to colonies, nests or roosts.
GPS Tracking & Behaviour
Combining GPS and tri-axial acceleration allows researchers to investigate both movement and behaviour during the same deployment.
Applications include:
- migration
- flight behaviour
- foraging
- stopover ecology
- habitat use
- activity patterns
Additional sensor options can include magnetometers, pressure, temperature, light, CO₂, wet/dry sensors and proximity logging.
Seabirds & Diving Birds
Tracking seabirds presents specific technical challenges. Devices must often tolerate salt water, repeated immersion and diving pressure while maintaining reliable sensor acquisition.
Multi-sensor configurations can combine:
- GPS
- acceleration
- pressure/depth
- temperature
- light
- wet/dry sensing
These systems can support studies of foraging trips, dive profiles, marine habitat use, commuting behaviour and transitions between flight, resting and water activity. For many seabird projects, TESA tape provides a practical attachment method. However, the final attachment configuration depends on species morphology, plumage, deployment duration and study objectives.
Behaviour Biologing
Bird biologging can provide information that GPS positions alone cannot reveal.
High-resolution acceleration and magnetometry can support:
- behavioural classification
- activity budgets
- flight analysis
- orientation studies
- fine-scale movement analysis
Optional light sensing can also provide information on environmental light conditions or support geolocation-related applications. Selected configurations may integrate CO₂ sensing for specific ecological or experimental research questions.
Remote UHF data download
Depending on species, device size and power availability, bird tracking systems can use different data-access strategies:
- archival storage
- UHF remote download
- LTE cellular communication
- Iridium satellite communication
UHF systems are especially useful around breeding colonies, nests and roosts.
LTE can support remote data transmission where cellular coverage is available. Iridium satellite connectivity can provide data communication in remote areas without cellular coverage, provided the device configuration can support the additional antenna and power requirements.
Proximity logging
Proximity logging allows researchers to investigate interactions between tagged birds.
Applications include:
- social networks
- pair bonds
- parent–offspring interactions
- colony structure
- group associations
- contact rates
Proximity functions can also be integrated into selected GPS tracking configurations
Custom Bird Tracking and Biologging Configurations
Species-specific customization is central to bird tracking.
TechnoSmArt can customize:
- batteries
- sensors
- housings
- antennas
- GPS schedules
- UHF communication
- LTE connectivity
- Iridium satellite communication
- solar charging
- attachment systems
Attachment options include:
- TESA tape
- backpack harnesses
- leg-loop harnesses
- glue-on attachments
- customized housings
- species-specific mounting systems
Researchers can select combinations of GPS, acceleration, proximity, magnetometry, pressure, temperature, light, CO₂ and wet/dry sensing.
Research Applications
Movement & Spatial Ecology
- Migration
- Dispersal
- Habitat use
- Stopover ecology
- Foraging movements
- Population connectivity
Behaviour & Ecology
- Behavioural classification
- Activity budgets
- Flight performance
- Diving behaviour
- Nest attendance
- Foraging ecology
Social & Conservation Research
- Conservation research
- Social interactions
- Contact networks
- Colony attendance
- Remote wildlife monitoring
Devices in the Field
TechnoSmArt tracking and biologging systems can be configured for birds with very different body sizes, behaviours and ecological requirements.
Published Research
Some real-world studies using TechnoSmArt devices on birds.
The Eye in the Sky: Combined Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems and GPS Data Loggers for Ecological Research and Conservation of Small Birds
Rodríguez et al. (2012), PLOS ONE
A TechnoSmArt GiPSy2 GPS logger was used to study habitat selection in lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni), combining bird tracking data with high-resolution aerial imagery
🔗 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0050336
Real-time context-dependent cooperation in parental provisioning reveals fitness payoffs in barn owls
Becciu et al. (2025), iScience
Axy-Trek Mini devices were used to simultaneously GPS- and accelerometer-track 68 breeding pairs of barn owls (Tyto alba), revealing how partners coordinate hunting effort and parental provisioning.)
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113533
See all published research using TechnoSmArt devices.
Find the Right Device for Your Avian Study
Tell us your target species, body mass, study duration, attachment method, required sensors and data-retrieval needs.
Our team can help develop a custom bird tracking and biologging configuration for your project.
FAQ
Gipsy 6 is the lightest GPS logger in our current range, with configurations starting from approximately 1.5 g. Suitability depends on species, body mass, attachment method and deployment duration.
Yes — the Axy-Trek family includes several devices combining GPS with tri-axial acceleration, including Axy-Trek Mini, Axy-Trek Remote, Axy-Trek Marine and Axy-Trek Marine HD.
Remote UHF devices such as Gipsy Remote or Axy-Trek Remote allowing data to be retrieved without recapturing the bird.
Axy-Trek Marine and Axy-Trek Marine HD combine GPS, accelerometer and pressure/temperature sensors, allowing researchers to link horizontal movement with dive profiles and depth.
For studies focused on behavioural classification without location data, an accelerometer biologger such as Axy 5 S or Axy 5 XS may be sufficient. These devices avoid the additional power requirements of GPS and can provide high-resolution acceleration, magnetometer and temperature data.