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Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) are shedding light on the intersection of bird habitats, migration, and bird strikes. Birds often fly through unfamiliar habitats during migration, leading to collisions with human structures. While skyscrapers like those in New York and Chicago are commonly associated with bird strikes, smaller buildings actually account for more collisions. Window glass can reflect vegetation, attracting birds, while artificial lights can disorient migrating birds.

VCU students have been volunteering to document bird-window collisions on campus since 2020, uncovering the impact of windows on bird populations. Citizen-science efforts, like the RVA Bird/Window Collision iNaturalist Project, provide data on collision trends and effective strategies for reducing collisions. Lights Out campaigns in major cities have shown promise in reducing collisions during migration periods and are environmentally and economically beneficial.

The research at VCU is helping to advance our understanding of bird strikes and inform conservation efforts. By gathering data on collisions and implementing modifications to buildings, it is possible to reduce the impact on bird populations. While major cities across North America have adopted Lights Out campaigns, Virginia cities have yet to participate. This simple initiative could be a crucial step in protecting avian populations and reducing energy consumption. Subscribe to VCU News for more updates on this important research.

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Photo credit news.vcu.edu