Bird-window collisions: An attempt to inspire and encourage more research and advocacy

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow: A brief history of the wrist

Bird-window collisions are a major cause of bird mortality in the world; up to one billion birds die each year from collisions with glass panes in North America alone. However, relatively little attention had been given to this issue in the broad scientific literature, despite a recent increase in the number of papers. In this paper, the indexed literature on bird-window collisions was reviewed, specifically addressing the causal factors. The search retrieved 53 papers, mostly from North America. The factors linked to higher collision rates were large areas of continuous glass, the presence of nearby vegetation and feeders, bird migration, abundance, and behavior. Several factors were site-specific, preventing the global extrapolation of these findings. There is a lack of scientific knowledge regarding bird-window collisions in tropical countries. One of the challenges to mitigating this problem is the small amount of information and - frequently - the extrapolation of findings described for temperate regions to other areas. There is a need for a greater and urgent effort to fill this gap.

From mobile phones and laptop computers to in vitro fertilization and social networks on the Internet, technological devices, products and services are increasingly shaping the lives of people around the world. The pervasiveness of technology and the underlying science that makes it possible has led to a certain ambivalence: most people trust that ‘science’ will eventually help them to live longer, healthier and happier lives. However, they also feel increasingly uncomfortable about certain new technologies, often those that challenge or improve on ‘nature’. Genetically modified crops, gene therapy, stem cell research, cloning, renewed interest in nuclear power: the list of controversial topics involving science and technology is growing steadily and debates on these topics regularly occupy centre stage in public and political arenas. > …the research process itself constitutes a largely overlooked opportunity for addressing social concerns Policy‐makers have responded by calling for increased attention to be paid to the ethical, legal and social aspects of scientific research and technological developments. In particular, new and emerging areas of research—such as genomics, synthetic biology and nanotechnology—have been accompanied by studies of their broader societal implications as well as public‐engagement efforts, in order to guide research and development in ways that respect societal concerns. Such attempts to shape technological trajectories have traditionally occurred both before scientific research, for example, through research policy, technology assessment or public participation, and afterwards, through regulations or market mechanisms. Although these stages are crucial points at which to intervene, the research process itself constitutes a largely overlooked opportunity for addressing social concerns. Indeed, if one acknowledges the central role that scientific research has in the innovation process, this is an area well worth examining. Shaping technological trajectories will, at some point, include shaping the very research processes that help to characterize them (Fisher et al , 2006). Social and …

Descriptions of two new species of the Simulium (Simulium) striatum species-group (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Taiwan and Japan, and a revised description of S. (S.) quinquestriatum (Shiraki)

BackgroundTo 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.MethodsTrained 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.ResultsThere 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.DiscussionThis 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.

Continent-wide analysis of how urbanization affects bird-window collision mortality in North America

Birds behave as if clear and reflective glass and plastic windows are invisible, and annual avian mortality from collisions is estimated in the billions worldwide. Outdoor flight cage and field experiments were used to evaluate different methods to prevent collisions between birds and windows. Stripe and grid patterns of clear UV-reflecting and UV-absorbing window coverings presented an effective warning that birds avoid while offering little or no obstructed view for humans. Birds used UV-reflected signals to avoid space occupied by clear and reflective sheet glass and plastic. Window coverings with effective UV-reflecting and UV-absorbing patterns as warning signals can prevent unintentional killing of birds from collisions with windows. One-way films that made the outer surface of windows opaque or translucent were successful in deterring bird strikes. Ceramic frit glass consisting of a visual pattern of densely spaced 0.32-cm diameter dots, 0.32 cm apart was an effective collision deterrent. ...

Bird-window collisions are a major and poorly-understood generator of bird mortality. In North America, studies of this topic tend to be focused east of the Mississippi River, resulting in a paucity of data from the Western flyways. Additionally, few available data can critically evaluate factors such as time of day, sex and age bias, and effect of window pane size on collisions. We collected and analyzed 5 years of window strike data from a 3-story building in a large urban park in San Francisco, California. To evaluate our window collision data in context, we collected weekly data on local bird abundance in the adjacent parkland. Our study asks two overarching questions: first–what aspects of a bird’s biology might make them more likely to fatally strike windows; and second, what characteristics of a building’s design contribute to bird-window collisions. We used a dataset of 308 fatal bird strikes to examine the relationships of strikes relative to age, sex, time of day, time of year, and a variety of other factors, including mitigation efforts. We found that actively migrating birds may not be major contributors to collisions as has been found elsewhere. We found that males and young birds were both significantly overrepresented relative to their abundance in the habitat surrounding the building. We also analyzed the effect of external window shades as mitigation, finding that an overall reduction in large panes, whether covered or in some way broken up with mullions, effectively reduced window collisions. We conclude that effective mitigation or design will be required in all seasons, but that breeding seasons and migratory seasons are most critical, especially for low-rise buildings and other sites away from urban migrant traps. Finally, strikes occur throughout the day, but mitigation may be most effective in the morning and midday.

Collisions with glass windows are a significant source of avian mortality, with over one billion birds affected annually in North America alone. However, studies on this subject in Latin America are still scarce, which is worrying for conservation, given that the region has the highest bird diversity in the world. To address this gap, here we investigated bird-window collisions on a university campus in Brazil, assessing which factors are associated with non-random patterns. Collision monitoring was conducted every 2-3 days from November 2022 to November 2023 in Sorocaba, Brazil, through the detection of evidence such as carcasses, injured birds, feather piles, traces of impact (i.e., feathers, body contours, or blood) and third-party information. To identify biological traits and environmental factors that may be potentially related to higher collision frequencies, we obtained biological characteristics of the species involved, as well as the buildings and their surroundings. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the relationships of the biological and environmental variables on the collision frequency. Our results revealed a positive correlation between glass area and collision frequency, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures. This study contributes to advancing the understanding of the issues related to bird-window collisions within Neotropics and calls for public policies and architectural interventions to mitigate these events, promoting the coexistence between urban development and bird conservation.

With the development of urbanization, bird collisions with buildings have become increasingly frequent, resulting in significant bird deaths worldwide each year. In North America, hundreds of millions of birds die annually from collisions with buildings. The risks posed by building collisions have already jeopardized bird species diversity. Bird collisions are particularly common during migratory periods. Fatalities from bird-window collisions have a significant impact on ecosystems. Researchers in North America have conducted extensive research and experimentally validated bird collision prevention measures in various regions, which can effectively reduce avian mortality rates from collisions with buildings. While precise national statistics are lacking in China, existing research indicates that a significant number of birds also die from collisions with buildings. However, relevant research is limited in China and there is a lack of effective mitigation strategies. Therefore, this paper aims to develop bird collisions prevention measures applicable to Chinese avian populations, drawing on existing research on bird collisions in North America and incorporating it into existing research in China.

Bird–window collisions are a leading source of bird mortality worldwide, estimated to kill as many as 1 billion birds annually in the U.S. alone. Though researchers have examined the factors contributing to general bird–window collisions, shadow-boxing, a nonfatal but potentially ecologically significant bird–window interaction, has primarily been excluded from the conversation. Shadow-boxing occurs when birds attack their reflection in human-made surfaces believing the reflection to be another individual intruding on their territory. Current bird–window interaction research often does not consider the unique drivers, impacts, and mitigation strategies associated with shadow-boxing. In this paper, we identify 5 major knowledge gaps: (1) building and environmental characteristics that lead to shadow-boxing; (2) the impacts on individual birds, (3) populations, and (4) people; and (5) the effectiveness of existing mitigation strategies for shadow-boxing. For each knowledge gap, we list research questions that will further our understanding of the scale and significance of shadow-boxing.

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Two field experiments were conducted with shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum Baker) on heavy clay soil to evaluate growth and yield response to mulching and nitrogen fertilization under the subhumid tropical climate of eastern Ethiopia during the short and main rainy seasons of 1999 with rainfalls amounting to 240 and 295 mm, respectively. The treatments included wheat straw, clear and black plastic mulches, and an unmulched control, each with nitrogen rates of 0, 75, or 150 kg·ha-1. Straw and black plastic mulches increased soil moisture while clear plastic reduced it considerably. Weed control was best with black and clear plastics in the short season and with black plastic or straw mulch in the main season. Both plastic mulches elevated soil temperature, especially clear plastic, which also caused most leaf tip burn. Yield increased nearly three-fold with the black plastic mulch in the short season and by one fourth in the main season compared to the bare ground. The straw and clear plastic mulches increased yield during the short sea son, but slightly reduced yield in the main season. The growth and yield of shallot were related to the weed control and soil moisture conservation efficiency of the mulches. Mulching did not alter the dry matter and the total soluble solids contents of the bulbs. Nitrogen fertilizer increased leaf numbers, plant height, mean bulb weight, bulb dry matter, and total soluble solids while reducing marketable bulb number, but did not significantly affect yield, leaf tip burn, or weed abundance.

Introduction to the International Medical Informatics Association

“Older Adults with ASD: The Consequences of Aging.” Insights from a series of special interest group meetings held at the International Society for Autism Research 2016–2017