Bird populations are declining at an alarming rate. Every year in this country, an estimated one billion birds are injured and killed from collisions with windows. A large percentage of these deaths occur when major cities are situated on historic migratory flyways. Minneapolis is one such city because of its close proximity to the Mississippi river. Neotropical migrants traveling hundreds, and sometimes thousands of miles on this arduous trek between Alaska and Central or South America are "stopped cold" by a 1/8" thick pane of glass.
Skyways are particularly deadly structures for birds who find themselves in the unfamiliar "urban jungle". Already confused and disoriented, and trying to escape by flying via pathways of open sky and light, they do not recognize this nearly invisible hazard in time to stop. Yet, because of skyways' relatively small areas of glass, they are prefect for remediation.
This is the opposite of natural selection; windows are a threat that do not discriminate between strong, healthy individuals and those less fit for survival. With the loss of these individuals comes the loss of the ecosystem services they provide. For example, birds control insect pests, saving farmers large amounts of money in crop losses and chemical pesticides. Some of these pesticides are linked to cancer and birth defects in humans. As well as the deaths of beneficial insects, such as bees that are vital to the pollination of many of our major food crops.
With the exponential growth of the human population, and more people than ever moving into cities, it is time to take action. Please help me advocate for a shift in architectural standards and culture, to a world where bird friendly design is automatic.
