Chicago sits in the route of migratory birds traveling south. Its abundance of glass buildings and bright lights make it particularly disorienting for the animals.
As winter approaches, migratory birds’ fall journeys are in full swing: and some cities are proving deadly. Last weekend, over 1,000 birds were killed or injured after colliding with buildings in Chicago and Evanston. The particularly high number of deaths has led to activists renewing their push for Chicago City Council to instate a bird-friendly building ordinance, Janelle Mella writes for Block Club Chicago.
Chicago is considered the most dangerous city in the United States for migratory birds. The city sits squarely in the route of birds traveling south, and its abundance of glass buildings and bright lights make it disorienting and dangerous for the animals.
“In October 2023, nearly 1,000 birds died after striking the glass windows of McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center in a single night. Bird-friendly window treatments were installed and collisions at McCormick Place have since dropped by 95 percent, according to the release,” Block Club Chicago reports. Advocates say applying these measures citywide could help prevent future collisions.
Read the full story: Deadly Weekend For Migrating Birds Prompts Calls For New Chicago Building Ordinance
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