[ Idea ]
This project captures solar and kinetic energy to measure the migration distances of hummingbirds. Our data visualization component further analyzes the energy expenditure of these birds during their migration, providing key insights into their energetic needs!!⚡️
[ Research ]
■ Why Birds for this project?
We chose hummingbirds as the motif for the solar project because migratory birds can determine the direction of their migrations from the position of the sun☀️
■ Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Research
We include these information on the project web page.
- Migration Distance:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate between eastern North America and Central America, typically crossing the Gulf of Mexico. This migration can cover approximately 500 miles (800 km).
- Diet:
- Their primary diet consists of flower nectar. They also consume small insects, spiders, and tree sap for protein and other nutrients. Due to their high metabolism, they need to feed frequently, visiting hundreds of flowers each day.
- Energy Consumption per Day:
- Their metabolism is so incredibly fast that they need to refuel about every 10 minutes. Each day they consume 50 percent of their body weight just to maintain their normal weight. Hummingbirds burn from 6,600 to 12,000 calories per day (27,614J/day OR 275cal = 1150 J/h). If a man had the metabolism of a hummingbird, the person would have to eat almost 300 pounds of hamburger a day to keep from wasting away.
[ Process ]
■ Fabrication
Initial Sketch
Cardboard Prototype
So beautiful…
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3D printing
We printed the device that can grab the speed rails.
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Waterproofing
To waterproof the birdhouse, we painted it twice with a wood stain that contains a waterproofing solution. In addition, gaps in the boxes were filled with Acrylic Latex Siliconized Sealant.
1st coat
Filled the gap with sealer
■ Electronics