A Red Knot standing on a bed of seashells with the ocean in the background. A Motus tag is attached to the bird's back and there are two identification markers on it's left leg - one yellow and one red.

Motus Impact

Learn how Motus enables conservation, builds community, pioneers science, and innovates technology.

Credit:Julian Garcia Walther

Community

Motus connects a rapidly growing and diverse network of thousands of collaborators around the world. It promotes an open, inclusive, and cooperative environment where individuals, agencies, organizations, academic institutions, and corporations work together to support the system and achieve shared conservation goals.

At the heart of Motus are 15 regional coordination centres and more than 50 local champions, supported by local and national conservation organizations. This dynamic network strengthens capacity, promotes knowledge exchange, and empowers action at every level.

Partners and supporters Collaborations

A line graph showing the number of Motus collaborators increasing steadily over time from 2014 to 2025. The y-axis represents the number of collaborators, rising from 0 to over 3000, while the x-axis shows the years. The line is blue and trends sharply upward, highlighting growing global participation in the Motus network. — *Collaborator growth* *Credit: Birds Canada*

Conservation

Motus enables a deeper understanding of how animals move through landscapes and seascapes, how they use habitats, and the ecological and environmental factors that shape their survival and migratory decisions. This knowledge helps conservationists identify key sites, connect populations, and take informed action.

Motus supports conservation work at scales ranging from local stewardship to hemispheric initiatives—tracking over 400 species, including more than 150 species of conservation concern.

Research and conservation applications Explore species data

A Golden-winged Warbler perched on a small branch in a forested area. The bird has two identification bands on its right leg - one pink and one metal. A thin antenna is visible extending from the bird's back past its tail. — *Golden-winged Warbler* *Credit: Paz A. Irola*

Science

Since its inception in 2014, Motus has contributed to hundreds of peer-reviewed papers, theses, and scientific articles—now averaging more than 50 publications per year. It is a powerful engine for discovery in the fields of movement ecology, conservation biology, and environmental science.

Motus prioritizes open science: Over 80% of projects contribute open-access data, breaking down barriers to collaboration and accelerating progress in wildlife research and conservation.

Publications Motus Collaboration Policy

An infographic describing how neonicotinoid insecticide exposure affects White-crowned Sparrow migration, fueling, and body condition. The background features a map of the Great Lakes region with Motus stations (green dots) and migration pathways across Lake Ontario (red arrows). Illustrations include a pop-up Motus station and a White-crowned Sparrow perched on a branch equipped with a Motus tag. Three graphs show that exposure to insecticides 1) reduces food consumption, 2) increases weight loss, and 3) delays migration by 3.5 days on average. The title reads: A neonicotinoid insecticide reduces fueling and delays migration in songbirds. Text box: Migration is a critical period and timing matters. Reduced body mass and delayed migration may affect survival and breeding success. This may explain, in part, why farmland and migratory birds are in decline. The bottom credits Bird Studies Canada, University of Saskatchewan, and York University and includes a publication reference. — *White-crowned Sparrow migration and insecticides*

Technology

Motus offers some of the most effective tools for tracking the movement and behaviour of the smallest animals over short to long distances. Using miniaturized transmitters and a shared network of automated receiving stations, Motus delivers high-resolution movement and behaviour data at local to hemispheric scales.

Designed to complement other tracking technologies, Motus lowers barriers to participation through a growing suite of commercial and open-source hardware and software. The system continues to evolve, ensuring precision, accessibility, and adaptability for researchers and conservationists alike.

Information for researchers

Two Motus stations on a rocky hillside in Lindesnes, Norway. The stations have 9-element antennas, solar panels, and steel boxes containing the battery and receiver. The stations are anchored to the rocky ground and sits under clear blue skies, with distant wind turbines visible on the horizon. — *Lindesnes, Norway* *Credit: Thiemo Karwinkel*