Chicago Bird Migration: 582 million expected to fly over the US tonight; how you can help.
I’ve posted this in a few comments but it begs larger viewing since numbers over Chicago tonight are predicted to be significant:
A friendly reminder that if you see an injured or dead bird, please call Chicago Bird Collision Monitors at 773.988.1867. An injured bird will let you approach, might be squinting, and is usually sitting in place. It is likely a window strike and needs medical attention. Migration seasons run mid-Aug to mid-Nov and mid-March to mid-June. More details on CBCM here.
The medical attention thing is important: while it might hop or fly away, odds are high it is suffering internal bruising or bleeding, broken bones that will lead to eventual death. CBCM will get the bird to rehab at DuPage Wildlife Center and fingers crossed, re-release to the wild to continue their migration.
Aside from calling CBCM, you can help by turning off your lights at night, closing your curtains and blinds, and applying deterrents to your windows to prevent collisions. You can find good options here. If you live or work in a building that sees strikes, raise hell with building management. You can also volunteer with CBCM.
What does CBCM do with the deceased birds? They go to the Field Museum for study so at least their lives aren’t totally lost in vain, and data is collected to help identify problem buildings.
You can also ask city council to legislate a bird-friendly building design ordinance. It, like many things, has been held up in council for years. More details at Bird Friendly Chicago Coalition and Chicago Collisions Coalition.
Chicago is the deadliest city in North America for migrating birds due to our buildings. Chicago is on the Mississippi Flyway, and we see the greatest number of birds fly through during migration season. These ancient migration patterns existed for millennia before this city. Birds don’t understand the concept of reflecting glass, and they confuse lights for the moon and stars, which they use to navigate. It’s an embarrassment that a city of this size and class doesn’t do more to prevent what is a preventable and wholly unnecessary issue.
And for the love of god, please look where you’re walking. Scraping up squashed birds from the sidewalk because some doofus couldn’t bother to look up from their phone is depressing, to say the least.
Finally, want to see what’s flying through and how many? Birdcast is your buddy. Help these little ones navigate safely; after all, they not only sing for us, they’ll eat all the damn mosquitos everyone on the sub is complaining about today 😉