Meeting Abstract
Ecobehavioral research on wild songbirds has generally been conducted through direct first-hand observation of birds in the field. Here we describe preliminary results of the Programmable Automatous System for Songbird Ecological Research (PASSER) Project: an attempt to use computerized fabrication practices to develop low cost, field-ready, micro-computer enabled units capable of conducting many of the observational and environmental tasks of a field researcher. Our overall goal in this work is to develop equipment that can reliably and independently collect environmental and behavioral data for long periods of time without direct control or monitoring by the researcher. When fully emplaced the network will produce multi-modality data sets. In pursuit of this goal, we worked to develop both a nest box and a feeder. The initial nest box is fitted with internal and external environmental sensors and video cameras. It is also solar powered, contains a servo door that can shut remotely allowing the field researcher to capture the bird easily, has microbial swab emplacements for collecting samples from the residents, and generates a Wi-Fi network to allow for remote uplink and monitoring. Similar to the nest box, feeders are capable of recording ambient temperature and humidity. However, they also contain a pressure activated feeding pad to trigger video and audio recording of feeding activity. In addition, the feeder has a touchscreen located prominently adjacent to the feeding pad to facilitate interaction between bird and feeder, such that birds perform tasks in exchange for a food reward. Here we present both the design and development of these units, as well as preliminary data demonstrating their efficacy and potential uses.
