Turning off building lights at night can help birds

[FfFfFfFF 58,062]

Turning off building lights at night can save migrating birds from crashing into buildings, a study based on decades of research has shown.

Scientists found that on nights when half the windows of a large building in Chicago were darkened, there were 11 times fewer bird collisions during spring migration and six times fewer collisions during autumn migration than when all the windows were lit.

Birds use unique exploratory skills. Building lights, especially on overcast nights, can bewilder them, leading them to fly in circles. Some may crash into buildings if they recognise plants or trees reflected in the glass.

The US has lost more than a quarter of its bird numbers, or about 3 billion birds, over the past half a century.

“Buildings all across North America, all across the world, are killing birds, and those add up,” said Doug Stotz, a senior conservation ecologist at the Field Museum. I hope this paper will show why it’s important to turn off internal lighting as well, especially in Chicago, which is the country’s deadliest city for migrating birds.”

Van Doren hopes the research can bolster efforts already made by the Lights Out programme in Chicago, which encourages owners and managers of tall buildings to turn off lights to stop migratory disruption, and asks residents of Chicago to do the same.

He said: “Our study contains a hopeful message: we can save birds simply by turning off lights during a handful of high-risk days each spring and fall.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/turning-off-building-lights-at-night-cuts-bird-collisions-study-shows

 

[PunkTheFunk 125,703]

Interesting, I would have thought the lights would help them see where the buildings are.

[littlepotter 76,610]

2 minutes ago, PunkTheFunk said:

Interesting, I would have thought the lights would help them see where the buildings are.

Right? How is this better than them crashing into buildings they can't see

[GagaSine 7,464]

12 minutes ago, littlepotter said:

Right? How is this better than them crashing into buildings they can't see

Well the data shows otherwise, I guess because the lights confuse & disorient them. Birds fly into buildings during the day all the time too so better lighting is not helpful, seemingly.

[dynamite 66,564]

Coo, I was blinded by the lights 

[Schwerk 7,453]

Saves on energy too, so double win I guess?

I wonder if birds over they years have evolved because of our building getting taller. If they can fly higher altitude for example.

[littlepotter 76,610]

48 minutes ago, GagaSine said:

Well the data shows otherwise, I guess because the lights confuse & disorient them. Birds fly into buildings during the day all the time too so better lighting is not helpful, seemingly.

Birds fly into buildings because of windows, as they reflect the sky so they think they're still flying in the sky

[spector 1,919]

i was shat on by a pigeon once, very traumatizing and unpleasant. but there are nice birds too, i guess. 

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

But that doesn't stop birds from flying into windows in broad daylight sooooo...

[27monster27 15,847]

I read "Blinding Lights". 

[SharkmanthaC 115,027]

Also for reference, if you are ever visiting a beach where sea turtles may lay eggs, turn the lights off at night. Sea turtles get confused and will wonder towards the lights instead of the ocean after laying their eggs because the moon reflection should be the brightest thing they see.