Smithsonian Big Data Initiative Tracks Seven Million Migration Points to Reverse Massive North American Shorebird Decline

The Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective analyzes 7 million data points to map migration routes and guide habitat protection across North America.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 11:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Smithsonian

A Technological Shield for North America’s Most Vulnerable Avians

Since 1980, more than half of the monitored shorebird populations in North America have suffered staggering declines of over 50 percent, making them one of the continent's most threatened biological groups. To combat this crisis, researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) have launched a massive data synthesis project published today in Conservation Biology. By coalescing 7.1 million distinct observations contributed by 75 different organizations, scientists are now able to transform raw satellite tracking information into actionable intelligence for conservationists and government decision-makers.

Mapping the Invisible Highways of the Western Hemisphere

The primary challenge in shorebird conservation lies in their highly migratory nature, with many species traversing multiple states and international borders in a single season. Using small satellite trackers, the Collective has recorded the movement pathways of birds like the long-billed curlew and the black-bellied plover. These electronic tags reveal the exact stopover locations and interconnected habitats that these birds rely on during their epic journeys. This high-resolution mapping allows researchers to identify which specific wetlands, coastlines, and grasslands are critical at various points throughout the year, ensuring that protection efforts are placed where they are needed most.

The Power of Collaborative Data Stewardship

Launched in 2021, the Collective has successfully unified data from federal and state agencies, universities, and community scientists under a unique and flexible sharing agreement. This framework allows contributors to maintain control over how their data is utilized while benefiting from the Smithsonian’s expertise in curation and analysis. Autumn-Lynn Harrison, a research ecologist at NZCBI, noted that the success of the program is built on a foundation of trust between scientists and practitioners. This reporting process ensures that the people on the ground—those managing land and water resources—have access to the most sophisticated migratory science currently available.