Birds killed in window collisions in Atlanta. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Project Safe Flight is a conservation effort to further understand the issue of bird/building collisions in the Atlanta metro area as well as in Brunswick and Savannah. The goal of this project is to determine what species are colliding with buildings, how many birds are affected, what parts of town are problematic, and what can be done to make Georgia's cities more bird friendly.
Volunteers with Birds Georgia’s Project Safe Flight patrol the streets during both spring and fall migration, looking for birds that have been killed or injured after colliding with buildings. More than 4,200 birds, representing 135 different species, have been collected since monitoring began in fall 2015. Ruby-throated Hummingbird continue to be the most collected species.
Volunteers with Birds Georgia’s Project Safe Flight patrol the streets during both spring and fall migration, looking for birds that have been killed or injured after colliding with buildings. More than 4,200 birds, representing 135 different species, have been collected since monitoring began in fall 2015. Ruby-throated Hummingbird continue to be the most collected species.
Migration
Red-eyed Vireo that collided with a building but was later released. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Migration is one of the most amazing feats in the natural world. Millions and millions of birds take to the skies, dodging predators, burning fat stores, and following the ever changing weather patterns as they press on towards their breeding grounds in the spring or winter havens in the fall. The setting sun and stars guide them as they soar through the night, some stopping along their ingrained routes to refuel. This journey is long and difficult and a relatively new threat has emerged and may be the most dangerous of all--buildings.
Current research estimates that between 365 million and one billion birds perish each year from colliding with buildings in the United States. Bright lights at night can disorient migrating birds, causing them to crash into structures or “trap” them in beams of light, leading to exhaustion. Birds also struggle with reflective surfaces during the day as they stop and feed or rest. Shiny glass exteriors, internal plants near windows, glass corners, and lots of greenery close to buildings all can be deadly as birds struggle to determine what is and isn’t a reflection and where there are open flyways.
Dangerous Passage
Atlanta was ranked the 9th most dangerous city in the U.S. for birds during spring migration, and 4th in the fall, according to 2019 study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The Cornell study ranked metropolitan areas where, due to a combination of light pollution and geography, birds are at the greatest risk of becoming attracted to and disoriented by lights and crashing into buildings. The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. It combined satellite data showing light pollution levels with weather radar measuring bird migration density. Chicago, Houston, and Dallas ranked one through three during both fall and spring migration. Because many birds alter their migration routes between spring and fall, rankings of the most-dangerous cities change slightly with the season, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Current research estimates that between 365 million and one billion birds perish each year from colliding with buildings in the United States. Bright lights at night can disorient migrating birds, causing them to crash into structures or “trap” them in beams of light, leading to exhaustion. Birds also struggle with reflective surfaces during the day as they stop and feed or rest. Shiny glass exteriors, internal plants near windows, glass corners, and lots of greenery close to buildings all can be deadly as birds struggle to determine what is and isn’t a reflection and where there are open flyways.
Dangerous Passage
Atlanta was ranked the 9th most dangerous city in the U.S. for birds during spring migration, and 4th in the fall, according to 2019 study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The Cornell study ranked metropolitan areas where, due to a combination of light pollution and geography, birds are at the greatest risk of becoming attracted to and disoriented by lights and crashing into buildings. The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. It combined satellite data showing light pollution levels with weather radar measuring bird migration density. Chicago, Houston, and Dallas ranked one through three during both fall and spring migration. Because many birds alter their migration routes between spring and fall, rankings of the most-dangerous cities change slightly with the season, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Making Buildings Safer for migrating Birds
Thanks to generous grants from the Disney Conservation Fund and the Georgia Ornithological Society, Birds Georgia has been treating Atlanta-area buildings and nature centers with a special film that breaks up reflection and helps birds avoid collisions. This not only saves birds but also serves as an opportunity to educate the people who visit these buildings about the problem of bird-building collisions and show them that there are many easy solutions to this problem.
To date, Birds Georgia has treated several buildings, including the Melvin L. Newman Wetlands Center, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, the Southface Institute, the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor’s Center, Elachee Nature Science Center, the Northwoods Pavilion at Dunwoody Nature Center, the Sandra Deal Learning Center at Camp Jekyll, and the Burton 4H Center on Tybee Island. The film installations were funded through a generous grant from the Disney Conservation Fund.
To date, Birds Georgia has treated several buildings, including the Melvin L. Newman Wetlands Center, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, the Southface Institute, the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor’s Center, Elachee Nature Science Center, the Northwoods Pavilion at Dunwoody Nature Center, the Sandra Deal Learning Center at Camp Jekyll, and the Burton 4H Center on Tybee Island. The film installations were funded through a generous grant from the Disney Conservation Fund.
What Can You Do?
Become a volunteer monitor. We Need Your Help!
Birds Georgia needs people to help us monitor for window collisions in the Atlanta metro area and in Brunswick and Savannah. This entails walking an early morning, pre-determined route around select structures, taking notes on collisions, collecting dead birds for scientific purposes (Birds Georgia has all necessary permits), and occasionally helping injured birds. Monitoring season runs from March 15 to May 15 and from August 15 to November 30 each year. If interested please email Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation.
SIGN THe lights out pledge
Sign the Lights Out Pledge and join other commercial and residential homeowners in pledging to reduce outdoor lighting to protect birds during peak migration period. Click here to learn more or sign the Lights Out pledge.
Report incidental findings
Report incidental findings. In addition to the formal surveys, we are encouraging everyone to document any incidental finding of a window collision of other bird deaths by submitting them to the D-Bird database. D-Bird is an online crowd-sourcing data collection tool designed by New York City Audubon. This data allows for greater coverage across Georgia and helps provide context and guidance for future monitoring efforts. Whether at home, work, or out shopping, please report any avian collision victim you encounter.
Spread the Word
Many people are unaware of the issue with bird-building collisions. Educate others, recruit volunteers monitors, speak with your supervisors or building managers if you believe your workplace is an avian hazard, or help connect Birds Georgia with builders and architects.
How are the birds Collected used
These specimens are used for a variety of different purposes, adding to ornithological research, providing teaching opportunities, and educating the public in various ways. Here we outline how these birds serve a vital purpose after their untimely death. You can learn more about the way these birds are used by downloading this document.
Tips for making your residence bird-safe
This Ovenbird was a lucky survivor and was released at a safe location. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Nearly half of all window collisions occur at residences. There are many ways to make sure your home and your bird feeders are safe places for birds to visit.
There are many commercial products available for residential use. Here are a few that our Birds Georgia members have successfully used at their residences (see photos below):
Or try these Do-It-Yourself Solutions:
Finally, pledge to reduce outdoor lighting to help ensure safe passage for migrating birds by signing the Lights Out Georgia pledge. We'll send out email and social media alerts on nights of peak migratory activity. Click here to learn more about bird migration and see how many birds are moving over Georgia each evening
- Placing your feeders at a safe distance (greater than 30 feet or less than 3 feet away from windows).
- Move large houseplants away from windows where strikes are common
- Apply window treatments to problem windows to help reduce/prevent collisions. Here are some resources.
There are many commercial products available for residential use. Here are a few that our Birds Georgia members have successfully used at their residences (see photos below):
- Feather Friendly
- CollidEscape - permanent and guaranteed window treatment solutions. Birds Georgia members can receive a 10% discount on window treatment purchases.
- Acopian Bird Savers
Or try these Do-It-Yourself Solutions:
- Use tape to create stripes on outside of window: 1/8 inch vertical white tape, 2” apart.
- Use UV Paint pens
- Use Tempera paint stencils
- Instructions on making your own Acopian BirdSavers
Finally, pledge to reduce outdoor lighting to help ensure safe passage for migrating birds by signing the Lights Out Georgia pledge. We'll send out email and social media alerts on nights of peak migratory activity. Click here to learn more about bird migration and see how many birds are moving over Georgia each evening
injured birds
Fortunately, not all birds who collide with windows/buildings die. Many birds are found stunned and can be released in a safer location after they have had time to recuperate. Some individuals, however, are not releasable and would perish if left alone. Birds Georgia is not licensed to receive or care for injured birds.
If you find a bird that has been injured, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators that is searchable by county. You may also want to contact one of the rehabilitators listed below.
If you find a bird that has been injured, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators that is searchable by county. You may also want to contact one of the rehabilitators listed below.
Roswell, GA
Birds of prey, reptiles, & amphibians only |
Lithonia, GA
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Acworth, GA
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Atlanta, GA
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Birds Georgia thanks the following partners
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