How Motus Works
Scroll or swipe to continue

People join a community dedicated to conserving migratory animals
Motus is a diverse, collaborative network of researchers, practitioners, organizations, and individuals working toward shared science and conservation goals. Everyone is welcome to support and participate in its mission.

Collaborators install Motus stations in strategic locations to track animals
Motus stations are installed in strategic locations around the world to collect valuable data on animal behaviour and movement. Highly versatile, Motus stations can be deployed in a wide range of environments. With a clear line of sight, antennas can detect animals in flight within 15–20 kilometers.

Researchers attach Motus tags to small flying animals
Motus tags are among the smallest tracking devices available, enabling researchers to monitor a wide range of birds, bats, and large insects. Each tag emits a unique signal, allowing the simultaneous tracking of thousands of individuals.

Animals are detected by Motus stations
Motus stations record detections of tagged animals within their range, logging the time, signal strength, and receiving antenna. This data helps researchers infer information such as an animal’s behaviour, timing, direction, and speed of movement.

Motus data is sent to Birds Canada for processing
Data from Motus stations is either downloaded manually or transmitted to Birds Canada, where it is processed and stored in a permanent archive. Most Motus data is openly accessible, promoting transparency and facilitating reuse by the research and conservation community.

Motus data is shared with collaborators and the public
Motus offers a range of data products for both researchers and the public. Researchers have full access to their raw data for in-depth analysis, while the general public can explore visually summarized data, making it more accessible and engaging.

Motus data is mobilized for research, conservation, and education
Motus data supports scientific publications, wildlife management, conservation initiatives, and biodiversity-related databases. Motus opens the door to exciting new opportunities for public engagement, fostering greater awareness, appreciation, and involvement in conservation efforts.
