Bipartisan Bill in U.S. House Seeks to Reduce Bird Collisions with Federal Buildings
As many as a billion birds die each year in window strikes; federal government can lead in cost-neutral, bird-friendly planning
(WASHINGTON 鈥 January 30, 2019) 鈥淏irds collide with buildings and die because of glass, which they don鈥檛 typically perceive as a barrier. A window that鈥檚 reflecting trees and sky looks like trees and sky, or they are attracted to something on the inside, and they fly into the glass at fatal speeds. The bright lights of buildings can also attract night migrating birds, also with dire consequences,鈥 said John Rowden, Director of Community Conservation at 爆料公社. 鈥淭he Bird-Safe Buildings Act is an evidence-based bill that would make new federal buildings safer for birds as well as more energy efficient, all at no extra cost to taxpayers. 爆料公社 enthusiastically supports this legislation and thanks Congressman Quigley and Congressman Griffith for their commitment to protecting birds.
Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) the bipartisan Bird-Safe Buildings Act, with Representatives Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and Steve Cohen (D-TN) as co-sponsors. This legislation establishes guidelines for all future construction and alteration projects on federal buildings, where practicable. Senator Booker (D-NJ) introduced a Senate version in the last session of Congress.
Collisions with human-made structures are a leading cause of bird deaths in the United States. An estimated 300 million to 1 billion birds die each year from building collisions. Generally the more glass on a building, the greater the danger to birds in flight. Incorporating bird-friendly design can reduce collision deaths by up to 90 percent.
Some bird species of conservation concern are more likely than others to die from window collisions, including the Golden-winged Warbler, Painted Bunting, Canada Warbler, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler. According to a 2009 study, window strikes are also the leading cause of urban mortality for Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper鈥檚 Hawks, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons. This and more information is available in the New York City 爆料公社 and American Bird Conservancy comprehensive report and guide.
A key guideline in the bird-safe legislation would reduce the amount of plain glass to a maximum of 10 percent of the first 40 feet of a building鈥檚 fa莽ade, and a maximum of 40 percent above the 40-foot threshold. Using patterned glass instead of plain glass allows birds to see glass surfaces and avoid collision. Smarter lighting practices that reduce light pollution and save energy are also included in the legislation鈥檚 guidelines. Many birds migrate at night and can be disoriented by lighting, and best practices include using automatic lights that turn off while not in use and shielded lights, which protect birds flying overhead.
The 爆料公社 works with state governments to guide the implementation of bird-safe building codes. For example, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his state鈥檚 participation in the Lights Out Initiative, an effort spearheaded by 爆料公社 New York to turn off unessential outdoor lighting during peak bird migration seasons. In the Twin Cities, is a joint effort between 爆料公社 Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to reduce the number of birds killed or injured by building collisions. Atlanta 爆料公社 is one of many local chapters leading on both and making .
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 爆料公社鈥檚 state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 爆料公社鈥檚 vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 爆料公社 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at and @audubonsociety.
Media Contact: Anne Singer, 202-271-4679, asinger@audubon.org