Collisions with glass kill up to 3.5 billion birds in the United States each year, with potentially billions more worldwide. And this killer is indiscriminate — taking the strong as well as the weak, creating environmental devastation.
However, everyone can prevent bird-window deaths and make an immediate difference in this important conservation battle, according to Daniel Klem Jr., Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and director of the Acopian Center for Ornithology.
Klem’s research shows that the majority of collisions occur year-round, and not only during the migratory periods. According to related research, low-rise commercial buildings (four stories or less) account for the greatest number (54%) of bird-glass deaths, followed closely by residential homes (45%). Lights Out programs are very important during the fall and spring bird migration periods, especially in urban areas with high-rise buildings, where an individual building can kill thousands of birds in a day, but this only accounts for 1% of the total annual mortality due to collisions with glass.
Birds cannot see glass, which poses two major problems: the glass is either transparent and clear or reflective and confusing. Either way, the result is often a fatal collision.
Explore these resources to learn more about how you can help mitigate avian deaths caused by window collisions.
Download this PDF brochure to learn about easy and economical ways to help birds see windows.
There are a variety of methods available ranging from do-it-yourself solutions to low-cost tools available for purchase.
Installing bird-safe glass in new buildings is an inexpensive way to save the lives of millions of birds.
Planting native species to attract birds and pollinators can be dangerous if you're not also protecting the habitat with bird-safe glass and other measures.
