Testing Motus Technology on Localized Bird Movement | MPG Ranch

Testing Motus Technology on Localized Bird Movement

April 19, 2021

The UMBEL lab tests a new node array designed to track small-scale bird movements in Woodchuck Draw.

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A female Brown-headed Cowbird wears a LifeTag.

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In 2020, we worked with MPG scientists to set up a new network of small nodes designed to relay more precise bird movement data to nearby Motus towers.

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Our goal is to determine whether we can use Motus to precisely document bird locations and shed light on local cowbird movements.

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In 2019, we tested whether the three existing Motus stations on MPG Ranch would provide sufficient information to track local cowbird movements.

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We attempted to estimate bird locations using triangulation and relative signal strength. Unfortunately, we could not pinpoint any birds with sufficient accuracy.

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In 2020, we collaborated with MPG Ranch scientists to test a new Motus technology designed to detect movements at a much finer scale.

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We set up a small test array of 27 nodes centered around Woodchuck Draw

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In 2020, we began using solar-powered “LifeTags” that are compatible with the CTT node system.

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As soon as data is available for download, we look forward to evaluating how well the CTT node system performed in collecting quality movement data.

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Harnessing local movement data to complement nest success and return rates will expand our understanding of cowbirds' influence on nest success and site fidelity of host species.