As the season changes into fall, and thousands of bird species are migrating to warmer climates, the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC has seen a concerning surge in window strike incidents.
Since August, the organization has admitted 106 birds injured by collisions with glass surfaces of buildings, highlighting the dangers migrating birds face as they navigate urban landscapes.
Window strike patients currently in care at Wildlife Rescue’s Hospital are a dark-eyed junco, northern flicker, a golden-crowned sparrow, and others, with injuries ranging from eye ulcers to severe head trauma. Among recent victims were nine common nighthawks, who are federally listed as a species of special concern, meaning their populations could become threatened or endangered.
As birds migrate, they become highly susceptible to window strike incidents as glass surfaces are invisible to them. Our feathered friends often travel at night and can become disoriented by city lights and reflective surfaces. The large windows and glass balcony railings of highrises are especially hazardous for migrating birds, stresses Jackie McQuillan, Support Centre manager for Wildlife Rescue.
“Birds that have impacted a window often suffer from concussions, internal injuries, eye injuries, and fractured bones, so it’s important that they are examined by a trained rehabilitator as soon as possible,” explains McQuillan. “Although the bird may seem fine after some time, some of these injuries, such as serious brain bleeds can manifest up to 48 hours after the window strike occurred.”
Window collisions are a leading cause of death for migratory and resident birds across the world. Approximately 25 million birds die from collisions with glass in Canada every year, according to Global Bird Rescue. The severity of the issue was highlighted recently, when Canadian photographer Patricia Homonylo won the Bird Photographer of the Year Award for her striking image depicting over 4,000 birds that died from window collisions in a single year in the City of Toronto. These are just the birds that were found deceased, and this doesn’t include the many that were scavenged, passed by, or went undetected by people.
Simple proactive measures such as closing your blinds, turning lights off in your home at night, or covering windows with decal patterns, can make a significant difference in helping migrating birds navigate safely. Lights that are kept on in highrise office buildings at night often result in mass casualties during migration. Encouraging workplaces to be bird-friendly is another effective way to support migrating birds.
For more information on window strikes and how to help, visit Wildlife Rescue’s website. If a bird hits your window, please contact the Wildlife Rescue Support Centre for assistance.
This article was written by Elin Molenaar, the communications coordinator at Wildlife Rescue Association.
