Learn more about existing Lights Out programs.An estimated 365 million to one billion birds die from colliding with windows annually in the United States, the second leading cause of bird deaths in North America. Nearly half of these collisions occur at residential windows, with the rest occurring in cities with larger buildings covered in glass and bright lights. In addition it will save money and electricity while reducing carbon emissions. This action has the potential to dramatically reduce the number of bird fatalities caused by city lights. Toronto, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis-St, Paul and Detroit have some of the most successful programs. The same night after 11 pm Photo: Eric Fogelman They are then more vulnerable to collisions with windows and other structres, and are easy prey for predators such as the gulls who have learned to patrol urban streets in the early morning hours. Birds circle builings and become exhausted.
Lighted skyscrapers may simply confuse them. Scientists aren’t sure why this happens but it may be related to the fact that among many navigational cues, birds use the stars to stay on course. Landbirds such as warblers, thrushes, and kinglets migrate at night and can be drawn off course by tall lighted structures in their flight path.
In many cities around the United States, building owners have voluntarily agreed to extinguish their exterior decorative lighting and to dim atrium and lobby lights at key times during the migration season. Chicago before 11 pm, showing lit exterior and decorative lighting Photo: Eric Fogelman
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