Natural History Wanderings

90,000 Birds are killed annually flying into New York’s Buildings

It is believed that flying into buildings is the second leading cause of bird deaths after habitat loss.  The mirror-like glass buildings such as those on many buildings in New York City are the culprit.

San Francisco is about to require bird-safety standards for new buildings. Some of the ways to make glass more visible to birds include opaque or translucent films, decals, dot patterns, shades,  mesh screens and nets are the main options available. New glass designs that give off ultraviolet reflections that are only visible to birds are being designed. New York City Audubon, the American Bird Conservancy and other groups are lobbying for their use in New York.

Read more in the NY Times: Making New York’s Glass Buildings Safer for Birds