Chicago Bird Deaths Prompt Urgent Calls for Bird-Friendly Building Designs
The recent mass bird deaths in Chicago have sparked urgent calls for bird-friendly building designs in the city. In early October, over 1,000 birds were killed in a single day when they collided with McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. While bird collisions with buildings are unfortunately not uncommon, this incident garnered significant public attention due to its sheer magnitude.
Bird strikes occur when birds become confused by the reflections in glass facades, particularly at night when illuminated interiors can be disorienting. This poses a serious threat to migratory birds that are traveling to their wintering grounds. While it is estimated that up to a billion birds suffer the same fate each year, the incident at McCormick Place was unprecedented in terms of the number of bird deaths recorded at one building in a single day.
Architects and conservationists are now calling for architectural designs that take bird safety into consideration. One prime example is the Aqua Tower in Chicago, designed by architect Jeanne Gang. The tower’s wave-like facade and fritted glass were specifically designed to prevent bird collisions. Fritted glass, which has small particles of ground glass embedded in it, creates a frosted appearance that helps birds recognize the presence of a physical object.
The incorporation of nature-inspired elements in architecture can make a significant difference in preventing bird strikes. The Aqua Tower’s curved balconies soften the building’s edges and minimize wind shear, while also providing shade. These features, when combined with the use of fritted glass, reduce bird confusion and make the building safer for avian species, especially during nighttime.
Other design solutions include the use of bird-friendly films, which consist of laminated dots applied to glass surfaces. These films help birds perceive windows as solid objects rather than transparent barriers, reducing the risk of collision. Columbia University and several buildings in New York City have already adopted this feature, demonstrating its effectiveness.
However, it’s not just building design that poses a threat to birds; artificial light also plays a significant role. The Tribute in Light installation in New York City, held annually to commemorate the 9/11 attacks, has been found to disorientate and exhaust migratory birds. To mitigate this, the lights are periodically switched off, allowing birds to recover and continue their journey.
In Chicago, a 2021 study highlighted the impact of nighttime illumination on bird collisions. By turning off half the lights in larger buildings at night, the number of bird collisions can be reduced by six- to 11-fold. In response, lawmakers in New York are considering a change in the law to prohibit nighttime illumination of unoccupied buildings during bird migration seasons.
While these measures can make a difference, they also raise questions about the 24/7 culture of cities and the excessive use of artificial light. By embracing darkness and reducing unnecessary illumination, cities can not only protect migratory birds but also rediscover the beauty and serenity that can be found in the night sky.
As architects and policymakers strive to create more bird-friendly environments, it is hoped that these efforts will lead to a transformation in attitudes towards artificial light. The care for migratory birds can also pave the way for a greater appreciation of dark skies, allowing humans to reconnect with the awe-inspiring wonders of the natural world.
