AR for Bird Migration

By: Colby Rees (2025)

Overview

AR can be used to communicate complex data to a user as well as creating an immersive environment that allows for direct user interactions with the data that otherwise is not possible in 2D. Bird migration data, which monitors the patterns of when migratory birds arrive to a location in the spring and when they leave in the fall, has been traced to have a connection to climate change. The purpose of this page is to explore the potential of using bird migration data in AR to better understand the patterns and engage with the user. 

Bird Migration and Sighting Data in AR

To experiment with User Experience and Data Comprehension when using bird migration data in AR, please reference this activity that includes an AR experience. The goal of this activity was to gather information on user experience and the understanding of the data presented. Please, reference this Wiki page on user experience in AR vs the Web to learn about the activity's findings. 

Bird Migration Sources

• Information on Bird Migration and Bird Migration Data:

  • Climate Patterns Thousands of Miles Away Affect US Bird Migration

    • https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3201/climate-patterns-thousands-of-miles-away-affect-us-bird-migration/

  • The Basics of Bird Migration: How, Why, and Where

    • https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/ 

  • BirdCast Bird Migration Dashboard

    • dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-AR 

  • Audubon Bird Migration Explorer

    • explorer.audubon.org/home?zoom=3&x=1387016.8753460755&y=2963552.345986468 

  • Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

    • https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds

  • Movebank Animal Tracking Data

    • https://www.movebank.org/cms/movebank-main

  • eBird Bird Tracking from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

    • https://ebird.org/home