1 billion birds
Let's talk about migration and window collisions
Did you know that every year in the US over 1 billion birds die from colliding with windows? Did you know that Chicago is the deadliest city for migrating birds? Did you know that there are easy and effective adjustments we can make to our windows to prevent window collisions?
Why am I telling you all of this? Hi, hello. My name is Hannah and I’m an artist in Chicago. Every month I send a letter-sized risograph print to members of my mail club. I’m an animal fanatic and I recently learned a lot about birds and window collisions through a workshop hosted by Holly Greenberg to support her project called Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene.
Holly moved to Chicago from Syracuse after an event in October 2023 when ~1,000 birds died from colliding with windows at McCormick Place in Chicago. This made international news as one of the deadliest days for window collisions. Normally ~1,000 birds collide with that building in one year, and this happened in just one evening. Holly set out to make ~10,000 bird sculptures – the amount of birds that die in Chicago in 1 year from window collisions. Many of these deaths are preventable.
She quickly realized she couldn’t make 10,000 birds alone. So she started hosting workshops to invite others to make birds while spreading awareness about this issue. I was so inspired by Holly’s palpable passion for the birds and for her brilliant approach to connect art, community, and conservation.
For April’s mail club print I am using my platform to raise awareness about this issue so I drew the 7 birds that are most likely to collide with windows.
Join the club before April 15 to get this print. The front features drawings I initially made with graphite, scanned in, digitally colored, and risograph printed in yellow, bright red, blue, and black! The back has information about each bird species, window collisions, and advocacy resources.
Why do birds collide with windows?
Birds don’t understand the concept of glass and its reflective surface mirrors trees they are trying to fly into. Instead of flying into a tree, they collide with our windows, often injuring themselves or dying.
Why is Chicago so deadly for window collisions?
While window collisions can happen at any time of year, they are especially common during migration. Many birds migrate at night, using the stars for direction. When birds fly over Chicago and see all our buildings lit up at night, they get confused. Chicago enacted a “Lights Out” initiative in 2000 encouraging building owners everywhere – but especially downtown – to turn off their lights at night during migration. Unfortunately this initiative is entirely voluntary, and many buildings do not participate.
What Can I Do?
Tell your friends and family! Spread the word. Knowledge is power.
Do you have a window that birds frequently fly into? Feather Friendly Window Collision Tape helps make your windows visible to birds flying in your yard. The square dots are a subtle gray/white color and do not obstruct your view. Feather Friendly is available at featherfriendly.com and on Amazon.
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) is a volunteer conservation project dedicated to the protection of migratory birds through rescue, advocacy and outreach. CBCM works to protect and recover migratory birds that are killed and injured in the downtown Chicago area each spring and fall migration.
Donate, report injured birds, sign up to volunteer, and learn more at Birdmonitors.net
Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene is a national nonprofit project started by Holly Greenberg that uses art + community gatherings to engage the public in addressing the leading cause of bird mortality in the United States—bird building collisions. At our crafting workshops, we lead community members in creating art, while educating them about the many solutions to prevent bird collisions, like treating windows and dimming unnecessary lights at night. Check out Holly’s workshop schedule, learn more, and get involved at: HollyGreenberg.com
Data for the 7 Birds Most Likely to Collide with Windows was pulled from the American Bird Conservancy.
Know about a resource I didn’t mention? Add it in the comments!
If you’re enjoying my Substack or receiving my prints in the mail, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.
OHMYGOODNESS! We need to save these birds!