Galveston Building Causes Bird Massacre

Galveston, Texas stands on the Gulf of Mexico and sits on the path of a number of bird migrations. 395 of those birds were killed Wednesday night striking a single building in the city's downtown.

1 minute read

May 10, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Bird

Stay safe, little warbler. | Pheobus / Shutterstock

According to an article by Dana Guthrie, 398 birds struck the American National Building in downtown Galveston, Texas on a recent night. Of those birds, only three survived. The majority of the birds killed were warblers, which migrate this time of year, Guthrie reports for the Houston Chronicle.

Guthrie spoke to Sarah Flournoy, the communities program manager for Houston Audubon, who said that these numbers of bird strikes are unusually high and that simple strategies can prevent the deaths of these birds who are one of the town's key tourist attractions. "Flournoy said the easiest and most effective thing people can do to stop bird-building collisions is to turn building lights off at night, especially during fall and spring migrations," Guthrie reports.

Saturday, May 6, 2017 in The Houston Chronicle

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist