A groundbreaking research study published in PLOS ONE uncovered alarming new evidence that building collisions are killing significantly more birds than previously estimated—well over one billion annually in the United States alone.
Research from American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Fordham University, NYC Bird Alliance, and Stony Brook University examined outcomes for over 3,000 birds injured in building collisions and brought to rehabilitators across multiple states. They found that only 40 percent of birds with injuries from collisions survive, even with the highest standards of wildlife rehabilitator care. Birds that are stunned by window collisions are often in treatment for at least a day before dying, despite being otherwise healthy. Unseen injuries like bruising, eye ulcers, and fractures can cause a gradual decline.
Previous research estimated between 365 million and 988 million birds dies annually from building collisions in the U.S., but this new study pushes the estimated death toll well beyond the one billion mark. It paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by birds and underscores the need for solutions to be adopted by building owners, especially during peak migration times in fall and spring.
This study not only sheds light on the magnitude of the problem but also points to potential solutions. Though birds generally cannot see or recognize glass, bird-friendly design in new construction and retrofitting existing buildings can significantly reduce bird collisions. Many solutions, like bird-friendly window treatments tested by ABC, are easy and inexpensive to implement. Reducing artificial light at night can reduce the disorienting effects of light on night-migrating birds and prevent collisions.
ABC has been a leader in the effort to mitigate the very serious harms window collisions do to birds. In addition to testing and evaluating more than 200 bird-friendly glass products for use on homes and businesses, ABC has worked with communities across the U.S. to design and implement bird-friendly building ordinances. ABC’s team has worked with major cities like New York City and Toronto to advance legislation to make buildings safer for birds and provides model ordinances and technical support. Green building certification programs like LEED have looked to ABC for support on crafting science-backed, bird-friendly building guidelines.
