You may have heard or seen a bird hitting your window as it flies from feeders to escape a predator or colliding with your patio door when it sees the reflection of trees and thinks it can fly to them. With luck, the bird has only lightly glanced off the glass or is only briefly stunned. Sadly, however, millions of birds die each year from flying into both buildings and building glass.
According to a new report from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), “Annual bird mortality resulting from window collisions in the U.S. is estimated to be between 365- 988 million birds. ”
Lest you think the main culprits are gleaming, mirrored city skyscrapers, the USFWS document, “Reducing Bird Collisions with Buildings and Building Glass Best Practices,” says collisions with those structures account for less than 1% of bird deaths. The report says more than half, 56%, occur at buildings between one and three stories, 44% at urban and rural residences.
There are things you can do to help, however, and that is goal of the report in which the Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management has compiled a list of things you can do to cut down on bird deaths from collisions. These range from suggestions for homeowners to reduce reflection to lighting changes and architectural designs for existing and new commercial buildings. For example, something as simple as adding screens or netting or adding patterns to the outside of your window at home will help.
The document also tells you how to gauge your home or office’s risk for bird collisions.
The suggestions not only will help the birds but also can reduce energy use and cut costs. Help our feathered friends and read this. You can find the study here:
