2.8mm EM4102 PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) bird RFID tag.
PIT tags, are tracking tags that do not require power. Instead, they have an internal microchip that is activated when it passes close to a special loop antenna. The antenna is connected to the reader that records the identity of the tag and the time that it passed by the antenna.
PIT tags provide many advantages for researchers studying birds. The biggest advantage of this tag is that it does not need a battery, so it can last for the entire time that an animal is wearing it. Because these tags do not require batteries, they are also very light and can fit on birds of any size.
Though a PIT tag is great for exploring some aspects of bird behavior, its use is limited. The main drawback of this device is that is has to be very close to the antenna to transmit data—typically just a few inches. Scientists will not retrieve any data if the bird is outside of that distance. Therefore, these devices can only provide data at the location of the antenna.
Despite this drawback, with the correct antenna placement, scientists can learn a lot using PIT tags. By placing an antenna in a location where scientists expect a bird to go, they can determine many things. For example, by placing an antenna under a bird’s nest, researchers can learn how often parents feed their young. By placing an antenna under a bird bath in an area without a natural source of water, researchers can determine how often a bird drinks or bathes. [1]
These tags are rainproof but not waterproof rated for submersion usage such as on aquatic birds. The lifetime of the tags is 3 years during which time the failure rate will not exceed 3%. Made of Polypropylene.
