Birds face many threats when they come into contact with urban populations. One of the leading causes of avian mortality in cities is window collisions. In Canada it is estimated 25 million birds are killed each year as a result of bird window collisions and the winter season, which large numbers of birds descend on bird feeders across the continent, is a particularly difficult time for bird window collisions.
The Birds and Windows Project was developed to use citizen science and active participation to continue to identify the factors that affect collision risk at residential homes.
Last fall Environment Canada released a report on the leading causes of human related bird deaths, with collisions with houses or buildings tied for second spot with power lines, collisions and electrocutions, behind domestic and feral cats. Most studies on window collisions have focused on tall skyscrapers but based on the sheer number of houses compared to tall skyscrapers, houses represent 90 % of the mortality. More work is needed; only four studies in the past have focused on bird window collision mortality at houses.
A new project was developed by Environment Canada to better understand what can be done to reduce bird window collisions at your home and to actively involve average birders in data collection. They are asking you to think about bird window collisions you have observed in the past and would like you to regularly search around your residence for evidence of bird window collisions in the future. This project is North America wide and will be running throughout 2015. To get involved in the Birds and Windows Project, visit: birdswindows.biology.ualberta.
For more information please visit their website (birdswindows.biology.