Advocates and volunteers report over 1,000 birds died or were injured in the Chicago area after colliding with buildings during fall migration last weekend. Most incidents occurred downtown and on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus. Volunteers had expected north winds to push migratory songbirds south, giving rise to the collisions.
The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center received 274 injured birds from downtown Chicago on Saturday and an additional 60 on Sunday. These birds represented over 20 species, including golden-crowned kinglets and brown creepers. Jennifer Bell, a volunteer, noted, “Birds were falling every five seconds.”
“Effective, preventive measures” are needed, advocates say. They propose a Bird-Friendly Building Design Ordinance to protect birds from building collisions. Design changes and reduced light pollution could also help.
Chicago lies along the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory route, making it dangerous for migrating birds. Experts estimate a billion birds die annually from window collisions. The urgency echoes a previous event in October 2023 when 960 birds died at McCormick Place Lakeside Center.
“It felt like that,” Bell observed, indicating another significant collision event. Annette Prince from the collision monitors said, “Birds use this as safe passage, and we want to host them safely.”
Bird collisions are not limited to downtown areas. Birds crash into glass of any kind, especially in the first 100 feet above the ground. Glass buildings are particularly deadly due to reflections that confuse birds.
In March, Ald. Maria Hadden proposed an ordinance for bird-friendly designs in certain buildings. The ordinance, sponsored and co-sponsored by numerous council members, remains under review. Robyn Detterline from the Chicago Ornithological Society highlights the necessity of the ordinance.
“These are unnecessary deaths,” Prince said, comparing bird-friendly features to standard safety features like smoke detectors.
Opponents of the ordinance cite concerns over increased construction costs. However, advocates, including Prince, argue incorporating bird-friendly glass from the start involves minimal cost.
Measures to prevent bird collisions include patterned glass and exterior treatments. At McCormick Place, applying a dot film to windows cut collisions by 95%. The city also encourages participation in the Lights Out Chicago program, asking buildings to dim lights during migration seasons.
Prince noted the positive impact of the city’s efforts. “Many birds were saved by the dim lighting,” she said. The goal is to implement bird-friendly designs in new buildings and promote retrofitting existing ones.
Prince urged quick action. “We can’t afford to wait longer,” she emphasized, as more unprotected buildings would have lasting consequences.
Leave a Reply