Window strikes: bird collisions in a Neotropical green city

Gómez‐Martínez, Miguel A.; Klem, D. E.; Rojas‐Soto, Octavio R.; González-García, Fernando; MacGregor-Fors, Ian

doi:10.1007/s11252-019-00858-6

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…However, this is not the case of the many collided clay‐colored sparrows, whose fatal events did not occur during the migration season, but occurred during the wintering season. Differently from the clay‐colored sparrow, the indigo bunting has been identified as a recurrent collision victim in other studies from Mexico, the United States and Canada (Borden et al, 2010; Cusa, Jackson, & Mesure, 2015; Gómez‐Martínez et al, 2019; Hager et al, 2008; Wittig et al, 2017). Interestingly, there are reports of this species having such site fidelity that after colliding with a building window in Ontario (Canada) on May 13, 1975 and being banded before release, the same individual was found dead of a window strike on May 15, 1976 (Klem, 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Our knowledge regarding bird‐window collisions in Mexico is limited to two studies that list colliding birds at university buildings (Cupul‐Magaña, 2003; Gómez‐Moreno, Herrera‐Herrera, & Niño‐Maldonado, 2018) and one that assesses some ecological variables related to collisions (Gómez‐Martínez et al, 2019). In this study, we performed a citizen science survey of bird‐window collisions at seven buildings in the university campus of the National School of Higher Studies (referred to as ENES hereafter due to its acronym in Spanish) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (referred to as UNAM hereafter due to its acronym in Spanish) located in the city of León (Guanajuato).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, bird‐window collisions have been estimated to kill one billion birds annually in the United States alone (Klem, 1990; Loss, Will, Loss, & Marra, 2014), and at least 25 million in Canada (Machtans, Wedeles, & Bayne, 2013). Interestingly, estimations for the rest of the world are largely lacking due to the nonexistence of local information to support them (Gómez‐Martínez, Klem, Rojas‐Soto, González‐García, & MacGregor‐Fors, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The invisible enemy: Understanding bird‐window strikes through citizen science in a focal city

Uribe‐Morfín

Gómez‐Martínez

Moreles‐Abonce

et al. 2021

Ecological Research

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Bird‐window collisions have been estimated to be among the most important sources of bird death. Despite increasing knowledge in Latin America, our understanding of this phenomenon is still incipient, with research performed in Mexico limited to a handful of studies. Here, we present the results of a citizen science effort focused on bird‐window collisions at seven buildings in the university campus of the National School of Higher Studies (ENES) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, located in the city of León (central Mexico). Our main goal was to describe seasonal patterns of bird‐window collisions and their relationship with building traits (i.e., building height, window area) through citizen science monitoring strategies. Our results showed that collisions were higher in two of the seven studied buildings, with two bird species recording almost half of the total collisions: Clay‐colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) and Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). Seasonally, April was the only month to differ from the rest of the studied months, showing significantly higher rate of bird‐window collision. Regarding building traits, only building height was related to the number of recorded bird‐window collisions. In sum, our study provides findings from an understudied area, showing the value of citizen science approaches to generate knowledge on a deadly phenomenon. Notably, besides the potential drawbacks and importance of generating this kind of information, our project raised awareness on the topic across the entire campus community, from the students and academics to the administration, highlighting the potential for social impact with these kinds of projects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The invisible enemy: Understanding bird‐window strikes through citizen science in a focal city

Uribe‐Morfín

Gómez‐Martínez

Moreles‐Abonce

et al. 2021

Ecological Research

Self Cite

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“…Not all studies share the pattern of fall prominence of window collisions. A Stillwater, Oklahoma study identified more spring than fall and summer window collisions (Riding, O'Connell & Loss, 2019) and a Xalapa, Mexico study found no seasonal variations (Gómez-Martínez et al, 2019). This short review suggests that there are likely more fatalities in migratory seasons, especially fall.…”

Section: Seasonality Of Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Bird-window collisions: different fall and winter risk and protective factors

Brown

Hunter

Santos

2020

PeerJ

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Background To reduce bird fatalities from millions of window collisions each year in North America, it is important to understand how design and landscape elements relate to collision risk. The current study extends prior research that found that buildings near ornamental pear trees (Prunus calleryana) and buildings with mirrored windows significantly increased odds of collisions among eight buildings on the University of Utah campus in winter. The previous study found bird-friendly glass was not related to collision risk, although only one fatality occurred at two buildings with ORNILUX® ultraviolet (UV) or fritted windows. We reasoned that extending data collection to include fall might provide a better test of efficacy. We tested the following three hypotheses: (1) Buildings with mirrored windows would experience more collisions, replicating the original study; (2) the addition of fall migration data would reveal fewer collisions at the buildings with bird-friendly windows; (3) the danger of pear tree proximity would be heightened in winter, when fruit is ripe enough to appeal to frugivores, especially the Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) that frequent these trees. Methods Trained observers monitored buildings three times per week in Fall (September 12 to October 27, 2019) and Winter (October 29, 2019 to January 24, 2020). Collisions were photographed and documented in the iNaturalist University of Utah Bird Window Collision Project. Results There were 39 total collisions, from 0 to 14 per building.Using generalized estimating equations, buildings near pear trees had 3.33-fold increased odds, mirrored windows had 5.92-fold increased odds, and bird-friendly windows had an 84% lower odds (Odds ratio = 0.16) of bird window collisions when analyzed separately; all were statistically significant (p < 0.01). A test of all possible combinations of risk and protective factors revealed that the best fit model included pear trees (odds = 2.31) and mirrored windows (odds = 2.33). A separate analysis tested the pear tree by season interaction model; it yielded the deadliest combination, with 40-fold increased odds for buildings near pear trees in winter season. Discussion This research provides the first peer-reviewed evidence found for the efficacy of bird-friendly fritted windows and ORNILUX ® UV windows in buildings. In addition, it replicated a study that established the dangers of mirrored windows and fruiting pear trees near buildings. These risks were especially dangerous to Cedar Waxwings, who constituted 62.2% of the identifiable window collision victims. This research highlights how building risks depend on window design, landscape choices, species, and season. If replicated, analyses of risk factors can help identify buildings that require mitigation to make existing windows less deadly. Results also support the installation of bird-friendly glass in new or renovated buildings to reduce fatalities.

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“…Among direct sources of avian mortality, collisions of birds with buildings and their windows are a top global threat. Window collisions cause between 365 and 988 million bird deaths annually in the United States alone [5] and are also a top threat to birds in other countries (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, South Korea) [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Birds collide with glass because they are unable to perceive it as a barrier due to its reflective and transparent qualities [12], and because artificial light at night confuses and draws migrating birds near buildings, elevating collision risk [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder perceptions of bird-window collisions

2022

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Bird-window collisions are a major source of human-caused avian mortality for which many mitigation and prevention options are available. However, because very little research has characterized human perspectives related to this issue, there is limited understanding about the most effective ways to engage the public in collision reduction efforts. To address this research need, we: (1) evaluated how two stakeholder groups, homeowners and conservation practitioners, prioritize potential benefits and obstacles related to bird-window collision management, (2) compared priorities between these groups, and (3) evaluated potential conflicts and collective strength of opinions within groups. We addressed these objectives by merging the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey approaches. Specifically, survey respondents made pairwise comparisons between strengths and weaknesses (respectively, direct outcomes and barriers related to management, such as fewer collisions and increased costs) and opportunities and threats (indirect outcomes and barriers, such as increased bird populations and fewer resources for other building-related expenses). Both homeowners and conservation practitioners ranked strengths and opportunities higher than weaknesses and threats, indicating they have an overall positive perception toward reducing bird-window collisions. However, key obstacles that were identified included costs of management and a lack of policy and guidelines to require or guide management. These results suggest that substantial advances can be made to reduce bird-window collisions because both homeowners and conservation practitioners had positive views, suggesting their receptivity toward collision management measures. However, because of more neutral views and conflicting responses within the homeowner group, results also highlight the importance of targeting homeowners with education materials that provide information about bird-window collisions and solutions that reduce them. Because bird-window collisions are a human-caused phenomenon, such information about human perspectives and priorities will be crucial to addressing this threat and thus benefitting bird populations.

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Window strikes: bird collisions in a Neotropical green city

Cited by 16 publications

References 48 publications

The invisible enemy: Understanding bird‐window strikes through citizen science in a focal city

The invisible enemy: Understanding bird‐window strikes through citizen science in a focal city

Bird-window collisions: different fall and winter risk and protective factors

Stakeholder perceptions of bird-window collisions

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