Attach_4_-_RFBO_Decoy_Specification_Sheet_Dec_2016.pdf

Red-footed Booby Decoy Specification Sheet December 2016

Timeline

We would like to have prototypes delivered by March 1, 2017, and all the decoys delivered by July 1, 2017. Our goal is to have the decoys installed in the trees by November 1, 2017.

Postures

The primary posture to be used for attraction of Red-footed Boobies (RFBO) at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) will be the “sitting” posture (see Figure 1). This type of posture is the most common for RFBO while roosting and nesting. A secondary posture will be the “skyward” posture (see Figure 2). This posture is used by RFBO occasionally during courtship/breeding season. Although not a common posture, we believe the use of skyward decoys will be helpful in attracting unpaired RFBO, and establishing the site as productive. We request a prototype be produced and delivered to Hawaii for each posture.

Figure 1: Profile of the sitting posture

Figure 2: Skyward posture

Amount

We are currently planning on purchasing approximately 200 decoys (depending on cost/decoy), consisting of a 4:1 ratio of the sitting to skyward postures. This works out to approximately 160 sitting and 40 skyward decoys.

Coloration

With birds, color is very important. The coloration can be determined from the provided pictures and others on the internet. However, it’s important to note that RFBO exhibit some variety in plumage worldwide (white, tan, or combination). Over 95% of adult Hawaii RFBO are white with a black wing bar.

Hence, we require all decoys use this plumage color pattern. Coloration of the beak and around the eye is very important. Decoys should all have the blue beak and blue around the eyes with reddish pink areas at the base of the beak. Figures 1 and 2 show this coloration well. In some RFBO images, you’ll notice the beak has yellowish-green tint. The yellowish-green is found in males during the short breeding season. During non-breeding season the sexes are indistinguishable to people

Feet

It is unknown how important the feet will be to this project. However, considering they are very bright, it’s likely they are meaningful to the birds. Therefore, we require that decoys have some type of feet.

Details of the feet are not important, just the color and relative size and shape. With both postures, the feet will be tucked underneath the animal, and not used for perching or attachment to the tree.

Attachment

RFBO roost and nest in trees, they do not spend any time on the ground. Therefore all the decoys will be mounted in/near trees. This aspect makes the project unique, and the details related to mounting the decoys particularly important. We have devised a system that will hopefully allow us to mount, repair, and replace decoys from the ground or using a short ladder. All decoys must have a connector which allows them to be attached to a 1 inch schedule 80 PVC pipe. In this way, each decoy can easily be attached to PVC pipes that are cut to length in the field, depending on the height of the tree/branch.

The PVC pipes will then be attached to ground stakes and/or sturdy tree trunk/branches. This method of attachment relies on a single point of connection between the decoy and the PVC pipe. Therefore, this connection must be very sturdy and durable.

(1) One idea would be to have threaded female 1 inch schedule 80 PVC end fitting pre-attached to the decoy, allowing us to connect and disconnect the decoy via a threaded male 1 inch schedule 80 PVC adaptor.

(2) In addition to the primary attachment point, we would like multiple eye hooks be inserted to the base of the decoy, allowing us to use wire/twine/zip-ties as a secondary method of connection to branches.

Measurements

Weight: The average weight of RFBO is roughly 1 kg. The weight of the decoy is not crucial

Size: See Figures 3-5 below.

Figure 3: keel to tip of tail = 49 cm; culmen = 9.5 cm; base of feet to tip of tail = 33 cm

Figure 4: body circumference = 38 cm; keel to tip of beak (skyward posture)

Figure 5: width of head = 5 cm