Measuring neck collar loss of Pink-footed Geese <i>Anser brachyrhynchus</i>

Capsule The ability to estimate mark loss of ringed animals is important to assess demographic parameters from mark-recapture studies correctly. Based on 23 years of neck collar recovery data from the Svalbard breeding population of Pink-footed Geese, we estimate an overall average annual loss rate of 3.2%. Neck collar loss was similar between males and females, and did not (based on currently available data) differ significantly between two types of collars used.