4.3K Views 3 years ago

Chicago Building Kills 1,000 Birds

On October 5th, more than 1,000 birds met a tragic end as they collided with a single building in Chicago during their southward migration. These unsuspecting avian travelers found themselves caught in a deadly situation, with disastrous consequences for their populations.

Source: CBS Chicago/YouTube

The incident occurred at McCormick Place, North America’s largest convention center, which is predominantly covered with glass. A peak estimate of 1.5 million birds was in the air over Cook County, which includes the Chicago metropolitan area, during this migratory period. Carcasses of various bird species, including Tennessee warblers, hermit thrushes, and American woodcocks, were discovered within a 1.5-mile radius of the convention center. Annette Prince, the director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, described this as the most substantial number of bird strikes the organization had ever recorded in one location in a single day.

The true extent of the catastrophe may take several days to unfold as some birds, after colliding with windows, may fly away, seriously injured, with no chance of survival. Brendon Samuels, a researcher specializing in bird-window collisions at the University of Western Ontario, emphasized that not every collision leaves behind a visible body.

Migratory birds play a vital role in ecosystems by providing essential ecosystem services. They contribute to forest regeneration by dispersing seeds in areas devastated by wildfires, help control insect populations, and aid in maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem. The loss of these avian species can have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human food systems.

Among U.S. cities, Chicago stands out as a hotspot for bird collisions due to its significant light pollution. Taking proactive measures to reduce fatalities is crucial. One solution is to turn off building lights, a simple yet effective way to mitigate bird collisions. Research conducted at McCormick Place in 2021 found that turning off half the lights in large buildings can reduce collisions by a significant margin.

The Lights Out Chicago program is a step in the right direction, with participating buildings voluntarily dimming or turning off lights when unoccupied. However, more comprehensive measures are needed to address this pervasive issue.

Implementing bird-friendly design solutions is another critical step in mitigating bird collisions. Visual markers like dots or patterns on window glass can break up reflections, helping birds identify safe passages. In 2020, Chicago approved a bird-friendly design ordinance, but its implementation is still pending. In 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Bird Safe Buildings Act, requiring bird-friendly design in state-owned buildings. However, it is essential to extend these initiatives to existing buildings and develop policies that promote retrofitting and other cost-effective solutions.

Sign this petition to ask Chicago to protect birds!