This anchor attachment technique, commonly called the prong and suture method, is used to attach small (usually 10 grams or lighter) transmitters to the back of adult and young birds. This attachment method is most often used on waterfowl. A 2-3 mm incision is made in the skin on the bird's back between the scapular. The stainless steel prong is inserted in the incision and maneuvered to anchor the front of the transmitter to the bird's back then the rear of the transmitter is attached with 2 or 3 sutures to the skin below.

The advantage of the prong and suture design is that it does not encumber the wings, body or neck of the bird which is important for species such as waterfowl that have daily flights and migrate long distances in the fall. When a prong and suture transmitter is used on ducklings and chicks, the weight can be kept to a minimum compared to designs with heavier harness requirements..

The prong and suture attachment method is for short term monitoring of nesting birds and assessing the timing and causes of mortality in newly hatched young. Some prong and suture transmitters are shed as soon as 50 days and few remain attached for longer than 150 days.

 

Series	Weight (grams)	Life (days)	Description
A4300	2.2- 4.9	26-468	Rectangular shape, silver oxide battery.
A4400	7.5-19.0	48-926	Coin shape, lithium battery.