Wings Over the Windy City

Science, outreach and action to protect Chicago’s migratory birds

Migratory animals have experienced dramatic population declines in recent decades.

Human activities and the built environment are an important cause. This project studies the risks migratory birds face in Chicagoland—both on the ground and in the air. Working with partners across the region, we are (1) exploring how migratory birds use aerial habitats high above the city, (2) characterizing the value of urban green spaces, and (3) identifying the most important factors driving fatal bird-building collisions. Armed with this new understanding, we will develop data-driven tools for use by advocates and policymakers and engage and educate the public about the inspiring phenomenon of bird migration and what they can do to help.

A few of our partners

Migration Dashboard

Latest bird migration data from our live network of acoustic monitoring devices in Chicagoland. Data are automatically processed with Nighthawk AI and may not yet have been verified by an expert.