Beyond the Horizon: Technology's Role in Understanding Bird Migration (2025-2026)

Background

Migration is critical for many animals, enabling them to find food and reproduce successfully in a dynamic world. By migrating, animals such as birds, fish and mammals take advantage of food resources and access breeding grounds that provide optimal conditions for reproduction. This complex, long-distance travel plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, as migratory animals support ecosystem health across vast geographic areas.

New technology has revolutionized the study of migration. Biologging tags provide vital information when coupled with tracking networks like the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, a global network of stations that detect tagged migratory animals. This tagging system has expanded scientists’ ability to study migratory birds.

Many species of birds migrate within and through North Carolina, some making extensive trips from high latitudes in the southern hemisphere to their counterpart regions in the northern hemisphere. Unfortunately, the Motus network has a gap in central North Carolina, limiting insights into the migration of avifauna. To help fill this gap, Duke is installing a Motus tower on the roof of Grainger Hall and plans to install another tower in a less-populated area adjacent to campus.

Project Description

This project will support Duke’s efforts to expand the Motus network and gather vital information about bird migrations. Team members will work with external partners to use proper handling techniques to capture, measure and tag birds so they can be detected by the tracking system. At the same time, they will conduct literature reviews to understand the broader context of avian biology, migration and conservation. The team will analyze the data collected in the field and by the Motus towers.

In order to raise awareness about migration patterns and conservation, the team will produce online maps visualizing the journeys of tagged birds and public placards highlighting the ecological importance of the birds that travel through our state and beyond. They will also use the information they gather about avian migrants, including possible differences based on body characteristics, sex and age, to provide policy recommendations for conserving this species. Finally, the team plans to write a peer-reviewed article to disseminate their findings.

Anticipated Outputs

Online maps tracing the migration of of tagged birds; public exhibits or placards; a peer reviewed publication; preliminary data and field protocol to support future work

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 6 graduate students and 8 undergraduate students with backgrounds in fields such as biology, engineering, computer science, public policy and the humanities (especially community engagement, public history, museum studies or communications). Applicants should be excited to directly handle wildlife, as banding and tagging birds will be a vital component of the project.

This project provides a rare opportunity for students to work hands-on with migratory birds and practice field ornithology skills. Students will engage deeply with the scientific process, learning the basics of animal movement data analysis, conservation policy and how to communicate science to the public. They will partner with local advocates and policymakers to understand conservation challenges in North Carolina. Graduate and professional students will also gain valuable mentorship skills, including leading teams in field settings.

Students will have the opportunity to travel to various local sites to perform field work. The project also includes an optional summer component in which students will begin handling and measuring birds.

Timing

Summer 2025 – Spring 2026

• Summer 2025 (optional): Begin handling and measuring birds
• Fall 2025: Continue field work and begin tag deployment; conduct literature reviews
• Spring 2026: Analyze data; produce online maps visualizing bird migration; produce display placards for local partners
• Summer 2026 (optional): Finalize article to be submitted for publication

Crediting

Academic credit available for fall and spring semesters; summer funding available