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03
Human and Bird Interactions
The Project
This project studies migratory and native bird species in London. I conducted observational research by studying birds in the city and secondary research on their migrations. This inspired the creation of rough, low-fidelity models of products that aim to raise ecological awareness and improve human-bird interactions in urban areas.
" I’ve always been fascinated by birds, their movements, their presence, their songs, so this project was deeply personal. But beyond admiration, I realized that birds are messengers of ecological change, especially in cities."
The Context
Due to our current ecological crisis and the increased number of animals migrating to urban areas, I thought it would be good to understand the urban environment more and see how we can better connect with it. In addition, I have always loved birds, which is why I chose birds specifically for this project. I am fascinated with birds and enjoy studying, sketching, and watching them.
Sketching Bird vs Human Perspectives
I investigated the dynamics between humans and birds by observing their daily routines and the places where their interactions overlap. For instance, I spent one day tracing my usual walking route in Westminster, and on another day, I followed flocks of pigeons to discern their daily habits.
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A Study of Migratory Birds
I researched London’s native and migratory bird species by reading scientific journals and conducting personal observations. I became interested in the migration patterns of birds, such as swallows, including their routes and the timing of their visits to London. I mapped out their flight patterns to better understand their behaviour, as you can see in the image to the right of the page.
Description of Swallows and their behaviours.
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Increase in Bird Migration to Urban Habitats
I conducted more research on bird migration patterns and discovered articles that discussed a rising trend of birds migrating toward urban areas. After becoming aware of this trend, I started thinking of ways to better accommodate these migrating birds by creating more bird-friendly spaces where they could live in case of habitat shortages.
Sketching what a space for birds could look like.
Article discussing the increase in bird migrations to urban areas.
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Sketches of bird freindly habitat spaces in people's home walls.
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Bird Houses: Low Fidelity Models
The purpose of these habitats is to provide a safe and secure living space for birds in case their natural habitats are destroyed or they are on a migration journey. The aim is to improve animal welfare and encourage harmonious coexistence and interactions between humans and city birds.
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B
A birdhouse designed like a brick that can be inserted into the walls of buildings for migratory birds.
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B
A birdhouse designed to fit into the cracks of walls, inviting visiting birds.
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Sides of the brick are able to open in order to access the inside space if needed (e.g. to be cleaned or redone).
B
A whole for birds to enter, which may be sized more specifically to the size of the birds who would frequent the space.
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Data Collection: Low Fidelity Models
This technology concept aims to gather data and monitor visiting birds. The inspiration behind this idea came from footprint tunnels. Which are used in gardens to lure mammals and obtain their pawprints for identification.
Sketch of footprint tunnel
In the black and white sketch on the right, I tried to think about how the concept of a footprint tunnel could be applied to birds. Footprint tunnels are usually used for mammals that live on the ground. I tried to rethink where a footprint tunnel should be located if it was for birds. I referred back to my previous research on this project, where I sketched life from the perspective of a pigeon and noted all the places the birds had frequented, such as window sills and trees. For a windowsill, a tunnel shape wouldn't be needed. So, I imagined what a footprint tunnel would look like if it were to record data from birds that landed on windowsills. I imagine a flat screen that is very sensitive to touch and almost invisible, with a texture similar to a windowsill and something that wouldn't affect the grip of the bird's feet. This smart technology would be able to capture bird footprints to identify species, age, gender, and time of visit.
Low fidelity model of a flat screen placed on a windowsill
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Mapping Human and Animal Interactions
For my project, I was inspired by the journeys of humans and pigeons. I imagined a map that could track how birds navigate a city compared to people. This map aims to raise awareness about urban wildlife and promote ecological consciousness.
The map would give you images, as seen on Google Maps, but instead, it would be from the bird's perspective. There would be quantitative and qualitative information available to see what birds frequently visit the site you're visiting and how they like to use and occupy the space. The map would also be able to give route suggestions that would least disturb the birds in these spaces. The data from my conceptual 'data collection flat screen' detailed on project page 5/6 could be used to feed data into this map.
Low fidelity map route visualization concept
Digital map wireframe tracking bird and human navigations
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