Everywhere birds visit, they perform essential ecosystem services that have economic value and are necessary for the functioning of ecosystems. Following major wildfires like those in Canada, birds that return to burned areas can disperse seeds and aid forest landscape regeneration. Global increases in temperatures contribute to the increase in insect populations, and birds that feed on them can help curb the issues that pose a threat for humans and food systems.
Of all cities in the US, Chicago’s light pollution poses the greatest risk for migrating birds.
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I visited the National Aquarium in baltimore, Maryland, and their glass building was covered in dots on the glass so that birds could more easily see the glass. I think this would make a lot of sense for skyscrapers, though it would impede on people’s views. I think it’s worth considering given it will also help save the lives of birds and reduce cleaning costs/damage from the birds.
Impeding on people’s view? Should have tought about this before building the damn thing. Having to put dots on the glass is a tiny price to pay to protect the ecosystem.
I agree wholeheartedly
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Volunteers are still recovering bird carcasses within 1.5 miles of McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, which is largely covered with glass.
“In fact, we often see birds collide with glass and they continue flying some distance away, seriously injured in ways that ultimately they won’t survive past a few hours,” Samuels added.
Weather conditions like opposing wind, rain and fog can make it difficult for birds to orientate themselves, in addition to light pollution from cities that can draw them in and trap them among deadly structures.
A 2021 study done in McCormick Place, the same site of Thursday’s bird deaths, found that shutting off half the lights in large buildings can reduce collisions by six to 11 times.
Having window glass with visual markers like dots or patterns can break up the appearance of reflection and let birds recognize whether there is a safe passage for them to fly through.
“We have a lot of existing buildings that are killing birds, not just new construction,” said Samuels, adding that investments in retrofits, creating tax credits for such environmental initiatives and making windows more bird-friendly can be an economical way to solve this.
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