Problem:
Birds have difficultly perceiving the presence of windows within built structures when those windows appear as if they can be passed through (in the case of skyways), when those windows reflect the surrounding environment (especially when they reflect desirable habit) or when those windows provide a clear view to landscaping inside the building.
Birds cruising at an average of 30mph strike these solid surfaces with all too often fatal outcomes. It has been estimated that window collisions are responsible for up to approximately 1 billion bird deaths annually, in North America. These deaths are needless and can be greatly reduced with window treatments (of which many exist).
This issue disproportionately effects migratory birds on their long, annual journeys to and from their overwintering homes. The Twin Cities falls within the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory path for 60% of North America's birds. This provides Minnesota with an opportunity to be leaders in stewardship.
The counter argument against bird-safe glass is threefold: One argument is that it's costly, although treated glass can save on energy costs and lessen interior upkeep where sun-bleaching is problematic. Another argument is that bird-safe glass interferes with the aesthetics of human vision, although small repetitive patterns can be looked past and filtered out of vision as if looking through a screened home window, while larger, more complex patterns, can be custom designed and can serve to beautify and enrich the space. Lastly, there is the argument that glass collisions are not responsible for the death of "that many" birds when considering the total population of all birds. These are all part of the problem which hinders the retro-fitting of problematic buildings, creating excuses for irresponsibility toward the land and its inhabitants.
As the State of the Birds report and the Audubon Climate report show many of our birds, even our common (least concern) birds will be facing hardships due to increasing habitat loss (due to both climate change and land clearing), environmental toxins poisoning their food supply (agripesticides which make crop pests like grasshoppers lethal and chemical spills in the water tainting shorebirds food source to name just two) on top of predation by cats and crashing into reflective surfaces.
Now is the time to act. Now is the time to be concerned. We must acknowledge our complex relationship with these beings (as well as other beings we effect) and engage in ethical and responsible ways of sharing space with them. Accommodating the well being of another species should not be considered an inconvenience, but a priority and privilege.
We must all come to terms with the mentality of “just one more” (unsafe) building won’t matter (just one more logged tree, just one more neonic flower, just one more drop of oil in the ocean, etc…) is completely counterproductive to a healthy and sustainable world (and mind).
This world could always use a little more empathy and compassion. See this brief article on the benefits of compassion toward animals: Compassion
Solutions:
Numerous solutions exist to treat glass for bird deterrance. They range from installing netting or screens, having blinds open but not drawn up (creating horizontal lines for birds to see), applying a special adhesive tape, creating Zen Wind Curtains, leaving windows dirty, applying deterrent films to the window, or having new fritted or etched windows installed.
See solution examples on the Bird-Safe page.
More research and solutions via Audubon MN: Bird-Safe info
Birds have difficultly perceiving the presence of windows within built structures when those windows appear as if they can be passed through (in the case of skyways), when those windows reflect the surrounding environment (especially when they reflect desirable habit) or when those windows provide a clear view to landscaping inside the building.
Birds cruising at an average of 30mph strike these solid surfaces with all too often fatal outcomes. It has been estimated that window collisions are responsible for up to approximately 1 billion bird deaths annually, in North America. These deaths are needless and can be greatly reduced with window treatments (of which many exist).
This issue disproportionately effects migratory birds on their long, annual journeys to and from their overwintering homes. The Twin Cities falls within the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory path for 60% of North America's birds. This provides Minnesota with an opportunity to be leaders in stewardship.
The counter argument against bird-safe glass is threefold: One argument is that it's costly, although treated glass can save on energy costs and lessen interior upkeep where sun-bleaching is problematic. Another argument is that bird-safe glass interferes with the aesthetics of human vision, although small repetitive patterns can be looked past and filtered out of vision as if looking through a screened home window, while larger, more complex patterns, can be custom designed and can serve to beautify and enrich the space. Lastly, there is the argument that glass collisions are not responsible for the death of "that many" birds when considering the total population of all birds. These are all part of the problem which hinders the retro-fitting of problematic buildings, creating excuses for irresponsibility toward the land and its inhabitants.
As the State of the Birds report and the Audubon Climate report show many of our birds, even our common (least concern) birds will be facing hardships due to increasing habitat loss (due to both climate change and land clearing), environmental toxins poisoning their food supply (agripesticides which make crop pests like grasshoppers lethal and chemical spills in the water tainting shorebirds food source to name just two) on top of predation by cats and crashing into reflective surfaces.
Now is the time to act. Now is the time to be concerned. We must acknowledge our complex relationship with these beings (as well as other beings we effect) and engage in ethical and responsible ways of sharing space with them. Accommodating the well being of another species should not be considered an inconvenience, but a priority and privilege.
We must all come to terms with the mentality of “just one more” (unsafe) building won’t matter (just one more logged tree, just one more neonic flower, just one more drop of oil in the ocean, etc…) is completely counterproductive to a healthy and sustainable world (and mind).
This world could always use a little more empathy and compassion. See this brief article on the benefits of compassion toward animals: Compassion
Solutions:
Numerous solutions exist to treat glass for bird deterrance. They range from installing netting or screens, having blinds open but not drawn up (creating horizontal lines for birds to see), applying a special adhesive tape, creating Zen Wind Curtains, leaving windows dirty, applying deterrent films to the window, or having new fritted or etched windows installed.
See solution examples on the Bird-Safe page.
More research and solutions via Audubon MN: Bird-Safe info